Sexual health week in Barnsley

Spectrum Health Clinic and Barnsley Council partner up on a mission to educate young people on good sexual health and encouraging parents to talk to their kids about sex.

This week is sexual health week from Monday 14th – Sunday 20th September, the week dedicated to helping families and young people feel more comfortable talking about sexual relationships to promote safety in our community.

"I had to rely on school and college to help me out...”

A survey from Planned Parenthood concluded that almost half of teenagers are scared to talk to their parents about sex related topics for fear of being shamed or from awkwardness. Spectrums partnership with Barnsley council are hoping to shut down more of this taboo this week as they set off spreading their positive messages into the community.

One teen we asked said, “My parents never talked to me about what sex was and avoided the subject, I felt like this was the tell-tale sign I had no place asking sex related questions to them and I had to rely on school and college to help me out.”

For all too many children the reality is the same, and many people feel like children are brought up to believe the subject of sex is rude, unnatural and not to be thought about until adulthood.

In fact, statistically speaking youngsters who have not been talked to about sex are more likely to have younger aged pregnancies and unhealthy relationships with partners, including a higher chance of being subject to sexual abuse.

It is for these reasons spectrum is on a mission to help children in Barnsley receive this vital information. Spectrum Health Clinic stated, “We believe passionately that everyone has the right to learn about relationships and sex education in a safe and supportive environment, where they feel able to ask questions and seek support.”

In 2019-20 the spectrum clinic was able to deliver over 2,000 face to face lessons to students in Barnsley and other south Yorkshire areas about safe sex, relationships, contraception and protection. They will also be placing much attention on supporting teachers talking to students as well as in families. Look out for their online materials and publications at https://spectrumhealth.org.uk/sexualhealthweek/ and you can keep up to date with their other campaigns by following spectrum on social media @SpectrumSHARP.