Appendix 19
Young people's views on improving sexual health and wellbeing
In the context of the Review, and recognising that Caledonia Youth has built strong and long terms relationships with a significant number of young people across Scotland which can be utilised to influence and impact on national policy, the opportunity was taken to ask for young people's views on what we need to do in Scotland to improve sexual health and wellbeing. In individual interviews (34) and via questionnaires young people were asked: What could we do in Scotland to help all young people have happy and healthy relationships?
Young people identified the need for action in these 8 areas
1. Improve and extend school based sex and relationship education; this should include peer education approaches, exploring relationships as well as sex, includes sex and relationship education for primary age children, better information on STIs and keeping safe from harm.
Actions in this category were highlighted by 65 young people. They said:
- More sex education, in depth, in school. And not just about how t make a baby. More about STIs, unprotected sex, actually having sex with someone you want to. (F18)
- Education needs to start much earlier. We know that young people under 16 are having sex. (F20)
- At 14 or 15 get real information on how easy it is to catch something. Get CY workers going into the schools. (M17)
- Schools should do more around safe sex and promoting relationships. The HEBS adverts are good. (F22)
- Relationship education is very important. At school we watched a video in Biology which was put on by an embarrassed teacher. When you are that age you think everything is funny and that you are invincible. I think teaching about relationships is key (F23)
- Raise awareness in schools and more knowledge so that young people know all their options. (F23)
- Give them more info about STIs and awareness of dangers like getting used and hurt. (F15)
- Talks in schools from young people who have experienced these things. ( Questionnaire respondent)
- More talks about the mental side of relationships rather than just the physical side. ( Questionnaire respondent)
2. Provide more clinics like CY or extend existing provision
Actions in this category were highlighted by 38 young people. They said:
- There should be more Caledonia Youth's (F19)
3. Change attitudes and behaviour: this includes addressing coercion and raising awareness of the right to be safe and happy in relationships. It means working with boys on their attitudes, values and behaviours toward girls .
Actions in this category were highlighted by 18 young people. They said:
- Make sure people don't feel ashamed and are comfortable with themselves. ( Questionnaire respondent)
- Teach people about safe sex and never forcing people. (M15
- People are having sex much younger. I think it is disgusting. You here about young girls who have been with 10 boys and they don't know anything about it. (F16)
- There should be more awareness about how to treat people in relationships. Asking young people to reflect on how their partners might feel. I think there is too much red tape and taboo about things. There should be more open discussion about the pro's and con's. Young women should learn more about the pressures of becoming a mother (F20)
- You should help people know when they are happy. (F15)
- Work with boys. Teach them about it not being all their way, that relationships are a two way thing. (F17)
- Make boys more aware of how deeply girls feel. ( Questionnaire respondent)
4. Public campaigns
Actions in this category were highlighted by 13 young people. They said:
- Health campaigns are important. They remind people about things, I think if you take them away things would get worse. (F19)
5. Improve access to condoms and contraception
Actions in this category were highlighted by 11 young people. They said:
- Make condoms free and getting the morning after pill easier. (F15)
- Free condoms from the nurse at school. ( Questionnaire respondent)
6. Educate and support parents; this should include opportunities for parents to learn about communication and support for their child in the realm of sex and relationships and a shift in the way adults relate to young people - less stress and more talking.
Actions in this category were highlighted by 5 young people. They said:
- My mum fell pregnant when she was 15 so she sat us down and told us what it was like and it made me think that I did not want to have a baby that young. But it is hard for mums and dads to talk to their children. They get embarrassed about things. There should be classes that parents can go to get better at talking about these things (F19)
- Less stress from adults. Stop warning us and being so pushy. Just talk to us, stop shouting. (F16)
- Educate parents about being tolerant to their children about being sexually active. ( Questionnaire respondent)
7. Encourage more STI testing
Actions in this category were highlighted by 3 young people. They said:
- Testing, everyone should be encouraged to get tested. People would be shocked (F17)
8. Do more about the relationships between alcohol and risky behaviour
Actions in this category were highlighted by 2 young people. They said:
- No idea! It is at the weekend when everyone is drinking - that's when things happen (F15)
- Stopping people drinking - students get up to a lot of mischief (F22)