Overview

Sexual Health is a broad term and encompasses a whole range of topic areas. For more information on all of these, including up-to-date info on Services in your local area, visit the Sexual Health Bucks website (NHS)

For all newsletters relating to sexual and reproductive health, please visit Sexual Health Bucks

Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)

Relationships Education for primary pupils and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) for secondary pupils from September 2020 will be compulsory from September 2020. Also, from September 2020 it will be compulsory for all schools to teach Health Education.

Please see DfE Statutory Guidance July 2019

bSHaW provides a funded training programme (WISH) to support schools to deliver high-quality RSE lessons and enable them to talk to their pupils about sexual consent, healthy relationships, and sex appropriately.

Find out more

Consent 

Consent should be the basis for every sexual encounter. Making sure that your partner consents to a sexual encounter are one of the most important parts of both partners enjoying a satisfying sexual experience. Engaging in a sexual act without the other person’s consent is considered sexual assault or rape and it is illegal.

Find out more

Contraception

There are 15 types of contraception available in the UK, all with pros and cons. It is important that young people know about all of them so that they are able to make informed decisions about what’s right for them.

All types of contraception, if used correctly, will help to prevent unintended pregnancy but condoms are the only form of contraception that protects against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The Sexual Health Buckinghamshire website has more information on the range of contraception available, the advantages and disadvantages, and where to get them from.

Also find out more about the C-card scheme here, which enables young people to get free condoms from a large variety of access points in Buckinghamshire. 

STIs 

All young people should be aware of the range of STIs and how to prevent them. See Sexual health Buckinghamshire for more information

HIV

Please see Terrence Higgins Trust, HIV Action Plan

Find out more information on HIV, and Support Services

Exploitation

Exploitation is a form of abuse where someone is forced or coerced into doing things for the benefit of others.

• exploitation is often a gradual process
• people are groomed and introduced to new ideas, behaviours, and activities, making these appear normal and acceptable
• these behaviours and activities may seem exciting or give someone something they are looking for – including money, gifts, or a sense of belonging
• people may not recognise that they are being exploited until their situation becomes very serious
• exploitation can take many forms, can take place in a range of situations, and can involve many groups of people.

I am worried about a young person

Sexting

For information on sexting and nude photos visit ThinkUknow
For information on sexting and sending nudes visit Childline
For information on sexting and top tips visit Brook Charity
For information and guidance on how to keep children safe online visit NSPCC

Sexual Assault

Sexual violence can happen to anyone; men, women, and children. The effect that it has on people will vary and different people may feel the impact of assault at different times. If someone has been raped or sexually assaulted, either recently or in the past, there is confidential support available. They will not be forced to report the assault to the police but may be helped to do so if this is what they wish.

If you or someone you know has been raped or assaulted, please call the following:

Helpline: 01296 719772
Email: support@avmksaass.org.uk
Website: www.avmksaass.org.uk

Everything will be kept confidential.