Campaigners voiced their concern about the level of HIV education for children and young people. They said that sex and relationships education should give more attention to HIV/AIDS, not only to provide children and young people with the information and understanding they need to protect their health, but also to combat the prejudice associated with the virus.
Source: Press release 2.12.02, National Children s Bureau (020 7843 6029), HIV Forum on Children and Young People, and Sex Education Forum
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A survey of primary care trusts and specialist clinicians found that sexual health services are stretched to breaking point, and many are suffering as a result of National Health Service reforms. Almost two thirds of HIV doctors said their ability to provide services had been weakened, with only 3 per cent saying it had been improved, by recent reforms.
Source: Disturbing Symptoms, Terrence Higgins Trust (020 7831 0330)
Links: Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
An official guide focused on strategies that teenage pregnancy co-ordinators and others can use to develop an inclusive approach to their work, including raising awareness about the importance of addressing cultural and religious diversity in relation to sexual health services.
Source: Diverse Communities: Identity and Teenage Pregnancy, Teenage Pregnancy Unit/Department of Health (020 7972 5309)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
A new public information campaign was launched to increase awareness of the risk of sexually transmitted infections among 18-30 year olds, and to highlight the importance of practising safe sex.
Source: Press release 28.11.02, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release
Date: 2002-Nov
Researchers recommended the national roll-out of a scheme for accrediting teachers of sex and relationship education.
Source: Ian Warwick, Kim Rivers, Peter Aggleton, Lisa Ruxton, Laura Turney and Paul Tyrer, The Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) Teaching Pilot: An Investigation of Key Stakeholder Perceptions, Research Report 376, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (Word file) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A new book described approaches and strategies for developing sex and relationships education policy and practice, to help workers engage with and understand a multi-faith society.
Source: Simon Blake and Zarine Katrak, Faith, Values and Sex & Relationships Education, Sex Education Forum, available from NCB Books (020 7843 6029)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Sep
Improvements in teacher-delivered sex education have some beneficial effect on the quality of young people's sexual relationships, but do not reduce sexual risk taking in adolescents, a study found.
Source: Daniel Wright et al., 'Limits of teacher delivered sex education: interim behavioural outcomes from randomised trial', British Medical Journal 15.6.02
Links: BMJ article
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/2, Digest 118 (paragraph 12.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
A single emergency contraception lesson improves teenagers' knowledge without encouraging greater sexual activity, a study found.
Source: A. Graham et al., 'Improving teenagers' knowledge of emergency contraception: cluster randomised controlled trial of a teacher led intervention', British Medical Journal 18.5.02
Links: Article
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 12.3)
Date: 2002-May