‘Be Smart, Be Sure, Be Safe’
Helping young people make informed choices about relationships and sex is the aim of an event by Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself campaign next week.
‘Be Smart, Be Sure, Be Safe’ will concentrate on sexual health and where young people can go to get guidance on contraception, pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections like Chlamydia.
According to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, 1 in 10 people under the age of 25 who have had a test are infected. Free screening will be available during the campaign at the North Warwickshire & Hinckley College Freshers Fayre in Nuneaton on 5 September.
Nuneaton has some of the highest numbers of reported cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections and unplanned pregnancies amongst young people under 18 in Warwickshire. Local funding has been sought in Nuneaton to deliver specific campaign events to tackle issues like these.
The local Chlamydia Screening Programme and Respect Yourself Campaign partners are working hard to increase young people’s awareness about prevention and improve access to testing and treatment. Countywide, approximately one teenager becomes pregnant everyday.
Leading on this initiative is Alison Boffin from NHS Warwickshire’s Public Health department, working as part of Warwickshire’s ‘Respect Yourself’ campaign during the Freshers Fayre to raise awareness of these issues.
A number of young people from the North Warwickshire & Hinckley College’s Hair & Beauty courses have been recruited as volunteer peer educators to help distribute sexual health bags containing contraception advice, leaflets and key rings to name a few examples.
Jenny Whateley, Respect Yourself Campaign co-ordinator, said: “It is important for young people get as much information as possible regarding relationships and sex.
“Nobody should be pushed in to sex and everyone has the right to say ‘no’ if they are not ready.”
Alison Boffin, Health Development Officer at NHS Warwickshire, said: “Starting college is an important time of transition in life, moving from childhood in to adulthood, which brings complex decisions and choices.
“We believe the resources in the ‘Be Smart, Be Sure, Be Safe’ bags will help young people make their own informed sexual health choices.”
The following advice is from Warwickshire’s ‘Respect Yourself’ Campaign:
- It is OK to say ‘no’ if someone suggests you have sex
- If you do decide to have sex, make sure you are ready and safe (i.e. safer sex - using a condom or femidom)
- Having sex without contraception means you may be at risk from pregnancy or a Sexually Transmitted Infection
- If you do find yourself pregnant, you do have options and there is help and support available for you
- Teenage pregnancy, contraception and sexual health are issues for young men too, not just women
Comprehensive information and advice regarding relationships and sexual health is available at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/respectyourself.