How+do+we+teach+sexual+health+in+Australia?

Name: Guy Baseby Student #: n7104367 Tutor: Abbey Diaz

How Do We Teach Sexual Health Education in Australian Schools?

__**1. Sexual Health Education in Schools**__

The need for sexual health programs to go beyond just sexual practices, and STI prevention has increased. Going further then just educating students on the topics of sexual health, it is becoming more important to focus on issues surrounding sexual relationships, consent and the psychological effects that come with sexuality. There are a number of different programs that have been implemented over the country. Some focus more on preventing infection, disease and viruses, whereas others place more of an emphasis on the psychological effects associated with sex, and sexuality. There is no set national curriculum that is implemented nationwide; therefore, not every student gets the same level of education regarding sexual health. Some programs will focus more on sexual health and STI’s, where as other programs, have more of a focus on the importance of building healthy sexual relationships.

__**2. The National Framework**__

Talking Sexual Health – the National framework for education about STI’s, HIV/AIDS and blood-borne viruses in secondary schools is the major framework adopted by most secondary schools. This framework was developed by the LaTrobe University. It first of all outlines areas around: The framework covers three key areas; diversity, supportive environments, and social justice. The framework believes it is important to recognise and explore different views about issues such as gender roles, sexuality, cultural beliefs and what constitutes a healthy environment. It recognises it is important to talk about safety in same-sex relationships. It promotes concern for the welfare, rights and dignity of all people. And it believes in being sensitive to personal and cultural beliefs in dealing with some issues surrounding sexual health. However, the program does not really discuss the issues around consent, or human relationships.
 * Disease and infection prevention,
 * Abstinence, safe sex and protection
 * Same-sex relationships; and,
 * Being conscious and respectful of different cultures

__**3. Other frameworks**__

Other states have funded their own programs including Western Australia, and South Australia. The Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships program in WA considers a vast range of topics regarding sexual health. It focuses on some issues the national framework does not really address. This includes body art, menstrual cycle, and needle and syringes. It discusses consent, and sexual assault, and developing relationships (both at home and with peers). It also covers other topics like the role the media has on body image, cyber safety and aboriginal adolescents. However, it does not have as much of an in depth discussion around diseases and infections, and unsafe sex like the National Framework has.

South Australian health departments have funded a program called SHARE. This focuses on sexuality, sexual health, and relationships education. It only lightly touches on the area of sexually transmitted infections. It does however focus on the importance of communication, in building healthy relationships. It talks about conflict resolution and how to deal with certain circumstances.

__**4. How do we acknowledge same sex relationships?**__

These current programs all include same-sex relationship practices as part of their programs. They all acknowledge same-sex relationships as sexual beings. The National Framework expands on that by stating for same-sex attracted young people, “Discrimination and lack of recognition and affirmation complicated their safe sex practices”. Furthermore, According to Gibson (1989), same-sex attracted young people are also at higher risk of suicide. Researchers argue that this is because in general, society fails to recognise there are a high number of gay and lesbian people. Therefore, there is a great need to recognise these young people as sexual beings.

The national framework does not really discuss the issue of consenting sexual practices. However, The SHARE program, and the Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships program both discuss the issue of consent and psychological safety. SHARE states that every person, regardless of age, gender, cultural background or religion has the right to decide where, when and with whom sexual encounters take place, and have the right to change their mind about wanting to have sex, both before and during sexual activity. They both teach about building relationships, and how peer influence can have both positive effects and negative effects. The Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships program also teaches specifically about abuse relationships.

__**5. How do we improve Sexual Health Education in Australian schools?**__

The area of education around safety and desire in human sexual relationships can be greatly improved. Not all young people are being educated around this issue, so creating a nationwide program is the first step to ensuring all young people are being educated about all issues of sexual health, and not just predominantly disease prevention. The latest research shows that around 93% of young people learn about sexual health from school sexual health programs. The main areas that need improving are consent and psychological safety, and the importance of developing healthy relationships. The aim of the program should be threefold: firstly, to reduce the incidence of sexual assault in school communities; secondly, to establish safe environments for young people and school staff to discuss relationships, consent and communication; and thirdly, to enhance the capacity of secondary schools to respond to sexual assault and provide young people with access to support. It should focus on 4 areas; consent, respectful relationships and communication, the impacts of sexual assault for victims, and the actions and strategies to prevent sexual assault. The topic of consent would usually be conducted by a police officer, and would include discussions about pressure and coercion. They discuss barriers to speaking up about what you want (or don’t want), and the importance of both verbal and non-verbal communication. The respectful relationships and communication topic would involve a discussion unit, with students being encouraged to brainstorm what is respect and non-respect look like in different circumstances including sexual consent. The impacts of sexual assault topic include exploring the barriers for victims to speak up and ways that young people can help a friend who has experienced violence. Lastly, the actions and strategies to prevent sexual assault involve the students discussing ways to create awareness, and ways to prevent sexual assault in the community. Most importantly, a nationwide program that addresses these issues is greatly needed with sexual assault such a prominent problem in Australia.


 * __Reference List__**

Lindsay, J., Smith, A.M.A (1997) //Secondary Students HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health//. Monograph La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Milton, J. (2003) Primary school sex education programs: views and experiences of teachers in four primary schools in Australia. //Sex Education: Sexuality, Society, and Learning, 3// (3), 241-256. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (1999). //National Framework for Education and STIs, HIV/AIDS and Blood-borne viruses.// Retrieved from http://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/downloads/arcshs-research-publications/TSHframework.pdf

Smith, A., Agius, P., & Dyson, S. (2003). Secondary students and sexual health 2002: report of the findings from the 3rd national survey of Australian secondary students, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health. Research Report. Melbourne: La Trobe University.

Government of Western Australia (2013). Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships Curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.gdhr.wa.gov.au/

SHINE. (2013) Sexual Health and Relationships Education program. Retrieved from http://www.shinesa.org.au/?objectid=508918BE-C74E-1C07-C0B06A022A738ED8&topicCategory=&topicKeyword=share&submit1=FIND+IT

__**Reflection**__

http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/share/view/64704592

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