Sexual Ethics

 

How do young men and women negotiate sexual intimacy? What role can schools play in educating young people to prevent sexual violence? These are the questions being examined in a collaborative project between the University of Western Sydney and the NSW Rape Crisis Centre.

Earlier in the year, a report was published discussing the findings from the initial phase of the project. Interviews with young people indicate that education messages from school and parents seemed to focus on biological aspects of anatomy and the importance of safe sex to avoid unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. There was little insight for young people though, into areas such as relationships, negotiating consent, handling peer pressure and the potential for violence in relationships between young people.

To find out more about this project and to access the full report, visit www.sexualethics.org.au

Another interesting investigation into young people’s experience of relationships and sexuality education is Louisa Allen’s 2005 book ‘Sexual subjects: young people, sexuality and education’.