Writing Themselves in Number 3 - WTi3

For those of you who don't know, the Writing Themselves in Reports are THE definitive source of information regarding the sexual health and wellbeing of young same sex attracted people in Australia. The first report was released in 1998, the second in 2005 and NOW its time to collect information for the 3rd report. YES Help young same sex attracted young people have a say. This information is IMPORTANT. The first two writing themselves in reports influenced (on a grand scale) policy and action Nationwide.

Do you work with same-sex attracted kids aged 14-21 in Australia?
If you do please encourage them to write themselves into Australian history by filling out the third national Australian survey on same sex attracted youth at www.wti3.org.au
This is THE survey that makes a REAL difference to policies and services; support it. The survey is open NOW and closes in April 2010.

I AM PASSING ON THIS EMAIL TO YOU THAT I RECEIVED

Dear colleagues, National STI Prevention Program

The Australian Government is launching a second phase of activity for the National STI Prevention Program: Sexual Health Campaign early in January 2010. As you know, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the risks of infection and encourage safe sexual behaviour including using condoms and seeing a doctor about testing after unprotected sex.

Phase 2 will build on the achievements of Phase 1 with further promotion of campaign messages to target audiences. The first stage of tracking research indicates good awareness, particularly for a campaign without television advertising. The creative executions developed for Phase 1 will be used again for Phase 2 to provide cumulative benefits in awareness and recall.

The campaign will include advertising primarily in magazines, online and in washrooms of pubs and clubs, as well as public relations activity to directly engage with young people and encourage more active involvement with the campaign.

We will update you with more details as the campaign progresses over the next six months. We appreciate your ongoing support of the campaign.

If you would like to view the advertising materials or order campaign resources please go to https://statemail.sa.gov.au/OWA/redir.aspx?C=b6b0dba36fca445097786241b848b1f8&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.australia.gov.au%2fsti

If you have any queries about the campaign you can contact a member of the campaign team at https://statemail.sa.gov.au/OWA/redir.aspx?C=b6b0dba36fca445097786241b848b1f8&URL=mailto%3asti.campaign%40health.gov.au

Yours faithfully
Horizon Communication Group (on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing)

Time to get cracking

"Time to get cracking": The challenge of developing best practice in Australian sexual assault prevention education
Susan Evans, Chris Krogh and Moira Carmody

Published by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.ISBN 978-1-921414-17-6, ISSN 1833-7864 (online), ISSN 1833-7856 (print)
Dr Susan Evans, Christopher Krogh and Associate Professor Moira Carmody are at the Social Justice & Social Change Research Centre, University of Western Sydney, Australia

This paper is a MUST for people working in ANY field. Sexual Assault effects all of us.

In this paper, three of the authors of the standards discuss a number of challenges that programs are likely to face in the effort to formulate best practice in sexual assault prevention education. The discussion is based on findings from interviews conducted with 32 prevention educators and program writers during a research project in which questions were asked about program development. Some of the challenges include: the distinctiveness of the prevention education role, conceptual underpinnings in programs, program development and evaluation, working in schools, choosing a pedagogical approach to work with young people, and program adaptation for the purposes of cultural relevance. In addressing each of these challenges, connections are made between what interviewees said and what is communicated in the standards. The aim of the paper is less with positioning the standards as the final word on best practice, and more with arguing the need for further debate, discussion and action to develop best practice in sexual assault prevention education.

GO HERE to have a read

SOMAZONE

when is the last time you visited the excellent website somazone?? When I logged on recently the lates questions that young people had asked were:

1. How long would you have to have had chlamydia untreated to be infertile?
2. How does your vagina smell like fish?
3. Can you catch thrush in your mouth from kissing someone?

If you havent visited somazone before I suggest you have a look: Here is their blurb:

Somazone (www.somazone.com.au) is an Australian website developed by young people for young people. Somazone provides fast, free, anonymous access to quality-assured health information.
Somazone is a program of the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) and aims to empower young people to address their physical, emotional and social health needs in a way that is relevant and non-judgemental.

Totally Awesome - Joy Nash

Another great site is Joy Nash on myspace. This girl is cool. She speaks the unnamable word 'fat'. Look at this video of hers and then visit her site. There may well be some resources in there that you can use when working with young women around body issues. Thanks to Rashelle Baans for delivering this to me.

Bad Questions to Ask a Transexual

This is a video from Calpernia Adams. It is a fantastic resource for identifying the type of questions that are rude, personal and just plain intrusive, that trans people are subjected to daily. Have a watch. You may have asked or heard someone ask these questions in the past.

If you want to see or read more about Calpernia Adams go to her website here :

Thanks to Craig Murray a community sexual health worker for putting me on to this.

Education on Tyra Banks Show

As a sexual health and education educator myself it was great to find this video. I found it on the Kinsey Confidential page of the Kinsey Institute website. If you are working with yioung people and dont feel comfortable enough to explain the vulva, labia majora, labia minora,vagina, clitoris, and urethra; you may want to use this video.

Growing up fast and furious:A conference

Preliminary notice. Save this date: Sydney, March 19, 2010


The Australian Council on Children and the Mediaand the Children and Families Research Centre,Macquarie University present:
Growing up fast and furious:Reviewing the impacts of violent and sexualised media on children
Saturday 19 March 2010, 9am - 5pm
NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre37 Reservoir Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010

An Australian Conference on Children and the Media, with international researchers, Prof Rowell Huesmann (long term impacts of violent media) , Prof Ed Donnerstein (Internet violence and cyber-bullying) , Distinguished Prof Craig Anderson (violent video games), and Prof Louise Newman (Victoria, sexualisation of children), Dr Wayne Warburton (NSW, violent music videos), Dr Cordelia Fine (Victoria, advertising) and Prof Elizabeth Handsley (SA, regulation and classification).

In this important and timely conference leading researchers will review the evidence related to children’s experiences with a range of violent and sexualised media, examine their marketing, and discuss appropriate regulatory responses, including how well our classification systems reflect current research.

Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity to see several of the world’s leading researchers on children and the media speaking together in Australia.

This certainly looks good to me. Hope to see you there.

why are you trying to look like someone else?

Beauty is not how skinny you can be.

I found this on the brillian site about face

This video was made with Sophie ( aged four) and her mother. She wonders " Why would a person want to look like someone they are not?"

PLEASE go have a look and read more on About Face

Real Beauty: Jodi Bieber

(The picture to the left is one of her photographs - not a portrait of Jodi)

Jodi Bierber is a South African born photographer: She has recently released a collection entitled real beauty. Here is what she says about this:

This project is an extention of a Dove billboard advertising campaign in London showing ordinary women in their underwear advocating and speaking up for Real Beauty. Advertising campaigns don’t usually draw my attention, but this one did. A model sitting next to me on the way from London to Paris emphasised the extent to which Photoshop is used to enhance beauty. She was not in the least bit concerned about the rings under her eyes as these imperfections would easily be erased after her photoshoot. A BBC radio documentary spoke about an increase in the cases of black anorexic women in South Africa, as the full figured body which was once more favourable is no longer as desirable as Western body shapes.

This is a fantastic collection. Go here to see more.

Climate change AND sexual health how is it linked?

IS family planning cheaper than conventional green technologies to combat climate change. Go here to read more: ( you may need to become a member of Lancet to read the full text. Its free)

Below are some very interesting discussions regarding the links between climate change and sexual health. They are from the The Lancet, Volume 374, Issue 9694, Page 949, 19 September 2009

"Over 200 million women want, but currently lack, access to modern contraceptives. As a result, 76 million unintended pregnancies occur every year. Meeting this unmet need could slow high rates of population growth, thereby reducing demographic pressure on the environment. There is now an emerging debate and interest about the links between population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and climate change.

A study of the first 40 National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) submitted by least developed countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change showed that 37 such countries made the link between population growth and climate change. But only six of them identified family planning as part of their adaptation strategy—likely because of the fact that family planning falls under the remit of the Ministries of Health rather than Environment, who are responsible for the NAPA documents. "

What happens as a penis ages??

Did you know: ( taken from WebMD.com)

The penis undergoes significant changes as a man moves from his sexual prime -- around age 30 into middle age and on .

These changes include:
Appearance. There are two major changes. The head of the penis (glans) gradually loses its purplish color, the result of reduced blood flow. And there is a slow loss of pubic hair.
Penis Size. Weight gain is common as men grow older. As fat accumulates on the lower abdomen, the apparent size of the penis changes. "
"In addition the penis tends to undergo an actual reduction in size. The reduction -- in both length and thickness -- typically isn't dramatic but may be noticeable. "If a man's erect penis is 6 inches long when he is in his 30s, it might be 5 or 5-and-a-half inches when he reaches his 60s or 70s," says Goldstein.What causes the penis to shrink? At least two mechanisms are involved, experts say. One is the slow deposition of fatty substances (plaques) inside tiny arteries in the penis, which impairs blood flow to the organ, another mechanism involves the gradual buildup of relatively inelastic collagen (scar tissue)

As penis size changes, so do the testicles.
"Starting around age 40, the testicles definitely begin to shrink," The testicles of a 30-year-old man might measure 3 centimeters in diameter, those of a 60-year-old, perhaps only 2 centimeters.

The GREAT NEWS is that as men age they report NO REDUCTION in pleasure and often mention pleasuring thier partner as extremely important.

To read more about this go here

Our bodies are facinating:

EXPECT RESPECT

Expect Respect!
A drama based peer legal education project promoting safe and healthy relationships


The Project

Expect Respect is a drama based peer education project that aims at engaging young people in a discussion about legal issues and the laws dealing with relationships and sexual relations. Particularly, the project aims at developing awareness amongst young people about the laws relating to sexual assault, rape and domestic violence.

The project will train at least 8 young people, between the ages of 18 and 21, to become Expect Respect Peer Educators. The peer educators will then work together with our lawyers in delivering the Expect Respect workshops to young people.

How long is the training for?
Not very long! The peer education training covers two days of about 6 hours each day. The training will be interactive and fun. There will be lots of breaks and food and beverages will be provided. During the training, young people will work together to develop a drama performance to deliver the project’s core message Expect Respect!

The project will engage three experienced and talented young performers who will help produce the performance.




Will I get paid?
The good news is that you will also get paid for attending the training and for helping deliver the Expect Respect workshops to other young people.

You will receive a $120 payment for attending the 2 days training and $80 for each Expect Respect workshop you help deliver. Depending on your availability, you will participate in at least 4 workshops. The workshops will run for about 1 hour.

How do I get involved?
To become an Expect Respect peer educator you will first need to complete a short questionnaire to help us find out a bit more about you and your reasons for wanting to participate in the project.

Once you are selected, will need to attend the two days training. At the training you will learn about peer education and how it works. You will also learn about the law, conflict resolution skills, services that support victims of sexual offences, how to obtain legal advice, and skills needed to be ambassadors and promoters of respectful relationships. We are confident the training will also help you to learn more about yourself.





Thank you for your interest and we hope to see you at the training!




Expect Respect Questionnaire
Please complete this questionnaire and email back to christian.cifuentes@sa.gov.au or post to Christian Cifuentes, Legal Services Commission, 82- 98, Wakefield Street, Adelaide, 5000.




Name:…………………………………………………………………………………………………..Age:…………….


Contact number(s):…………………………………………………………………………………………………..


Area where you live:…………………………………………………………………………………………….….



How do you hear about Expect Respect?



Are you currently involved in school/work/program or other activity?



What days/times are you free?



Any hobbies/interests?



What do you think are your personal strengths?




Why are you interested in Expect Respect?




Do you understand what sexual offences are ?




How do you think you can contribute to the project?




What would you like to get out of this project?




How do you feel about working in a team with people of mixed gender from diverse backgrounds?




What do you think peer education is?





How do you feel about presenting information to other young people about sexual assault?





How much time you think you can contribute to the project?





Do you have your own transport?








Thank you for completing this questionnaire!

Young Christians talk about contraception

Youth Gender and Pornography

Finding out what young people think of pornography, what they have viewed as pornography, how often the view pornography has been difficult. This of course means that we make assumptions about how young people are responding to the easily accessablre pornography of today. Perhaps our assumptions are wrong. Below is some interesting information from 'The Nordic Gender Institute NIKK

"Pornography turned out to be a well-known and actively debated phenomenon among Nordic young people, who cooperated willingly with the team of researchers concerning their own relationship to and attitudes toward pornography. Young people consume pornography in varying degrees, are familiar with various genres, and reveal themselves to be fairly reflective and critical in relation to what they see. At the same time, they point out that the consumption of pornography has become more standard, but that it continues to be viewed as more "normal" for boys than for girls. This is explained by saying, among other things, that pornography is after all produced by men and for men. In spite of the tendency toward normalisation, many things indicate that young people's approach to pornography is rather ambivalent. Among boys in particular, pornography works on the one hand as sexual inspiration in more private contexts, while at the same time it functions as a social rallying point, ridiculed and dismissed as containing exaggerated images of what sexuality really is in daily life. This ambivalence is not as marked among the study's girls, who, even when they are somewhat positively inclined toward pornography, express a critical stance toward it. "

Go here to read a bit more about thier research:

Here we go again!!

The following was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald on Nov 9th: If you want to read more go here.

"A FURORE has erupted over the content of a new national sex education package to be developed for Australian primary and high schools.
Sydney's Catholic schools head Dan White is warning against the planned national curriculum being used as a ''how-to guide'' for children to gain access to contraception and abortion clinics.
But NSW Teachers Federation president Bob Lipscombe said sex education in the 21st century should reflect the needs of young people and equip them with information to prepare them for adulthood.
Sex education and personal development would be taught in primary and secondary schools as part of the proposed Health and Physical Education National Curriculum."

Why is it that some groups, people, associations??? believe that providing young people with information and truth is a 'how to guide' for sex, contraception and abortion? I would think that we ALL want our young people to be SAFE. That we all want our young people to be INFORMED, that we all want our young people to be SUCCESSFUL. Well..... the longer young people delay thier first sexual experience the more likely they are to NOT have an unplanned pregnancy, NOT to contract an STI, and NOT to need a termination. You cant 'just say no'! Young people need to be able to know why they can say no if they want to. If we teach young people how to engage with each other in open and honest discourse in ALL fields maybe they will be better equipped to be safe and happy on all fronts. Including sexual health. Bring it out in the open. Sex isnt a secret!

Say NO - Unite to end violence against women

This site - Say No Unite has lots of great information from around the globe: There are links to "Actions Taken" that you can read about. There is a place for you to 'Start an Action' ( Maybe it's climbing Mt Kilimanjaro to raise awareness or Joining religions for peace etcetc).

Here is a blurb from this website:

"Up to 70 percent of women experience violence from men in their lifetime. Let us count you in to make a difference. Say NO – UNiTE. Take action NOW to end violence against women!

Say NO records what individuals, organizations and governments worldwide are doing to end violence against women. The initial goal is to reach 100,000 actions by March and 1 million actions by November 2010. Whether you volunteer at a shelter, donate, reach out to students or advocate for better policies – every action counts. Let us count you in. Your voice matters. Tell governments that you want them to make ending violence against women a top priority. More than 5 million people already signed on to Say NO.

Add your name to this powerful call to take one action now and stay informed."

New Youth Card

This is SHineSA new youth card with ALL the info a person needs to get in touch with shine.

If you want to order some give SHineSA a call on 08 8300 5300

OR email on info@shinesa.org.au OR just go to the website here and order via the online form. It's easy.

Lets get this information OUT THERE

Admit it. You are sexually active.

This is a great site to hear some information and discuss sexual health: Above is just ON#E of thier videos and discussions. Go for it! CLICK HERE

Walk for Aids: November 22

IF YOU ARE IN ADELAIDE:






Did you know about this walk? Sunday November 22:






Get out there and join in. Lets hope its a good turn out.





Go here for more information and rego forms.

THIS is why we should talk about this stuff

Have a look at this article from Medical News Today: Need I say more??

Teen Girls Diagnosed With STI More Likely To Tell And Seek Treatment For Partners After Watching Video

So... SHineSA has lots of videos and resources iof you want to get started doing some basic EDUCATION: Give us a call or email on :

General enquiriesTel: (08) 8300 5300Email: info@shinesa.org.au

STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

White Ribbon day is November 25th.

This is the Intenational Day for the Ellimination of Violence Against Women.

There are lots of things that you can do to get involved. Maybe download the document: 'Assault on our Future - The impact of violence on young people and their relationships' by Michael Flood and Lara fergus.( It is on the website).

You could just go on and send a white ribbon e card to someone to help raise awareness. OR you could organise an event. This year White Ribbon Day is also in national Youth Week so it could be a timely way to get young people involved.After all it is the young peope that can STOP this now.

Go to the white ribbon day website here to have a good look around.

Universal access to comprehensive sexual health education

The following is taken from the World Association for Sexual Health ( WAS) website. This is a great site for looking at the issue of sexual health from a global perspective. well worth a look. Of course as a sexual health and relationships educator this has my full support.

The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) in its Declaration of Sexual Health for the Millennium considers comprehensive sexuality education as one of the foundations on which sexual health and general well‐being are built.
WAS proposes that to achieve universal access to comprehensive education the following actions are necessary:

• Mandate comprehensive, rights‐based, gender sensitive, and culturally appropriate sexuality education as a required component of schools’ curricula at all levels, and that the required resources be provided.

• Work with community agencies to reach out‐of‐school youth and other high risk populations with comprehensive sexuality education.

• Issue guidelines to ensure that sexuality education programs and services are grounded in the principle of fully informed, autonomous decision‐making.

• Ensure that sexuality education programs are evidence‐based and include the characteristics that have been shown to contribute to effectiveness. This should be done in a way that allows for creativity, and considers community specific needs in the development and evaluation of innovative programs.

XY Men Masculinities and Politics

It has taken me a long time to find this site: I dont know why! Below are some intro quotes from the site. Get on there and have a look around and join in. I will cetainly be exploring and engaging with this fantastic space.

"XY is a website focused on men, masculinities, and gender politics. XY is a space for the exploration of issues of gender and sexuality, the daily issues of men’s and women’s lives, and practical discussion of personal and social change.
XY is:
A forum for debate and discussion, including commentary on contemporary and emerging issues in gender and sexual politics;
A resource library or clearinghouse for key reports, manuals, and articles;
A toolkit for activism, personal transformation and social change. "

"XY is intended therefore to encourage men to involve themselves in personal and social change towards gender equality. It inspires men to develop respectful, trusting, and egalitarian relations with women, to promote equitable and liberatory ways of living and being, and to join with women in projects of gender equality and social justice.
XY is guided by two further principles: a commitment to enhancing men’s lives, and a recognition of diversities among men."

http://www.xyonline.net/

My PEER Project

For those who work in peer education! I recently received this email from Jonathan Hallett seeking support for research into peer based projects. PLEASE spend some time to help out this important research. While you are at it have a look at the My Peer Website


The My-Peer project has developed an online survey to explore the human resource processes involved in running peer-based programs.
Staffing peer-based programs can raise challenges and opportunities and we are keen to hear from agencies running these programs to find out more about how you recruit peer supporters/educators, the type of training they undergo and the support they are provided.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes of your time and your responses will go directly to supporting the development of the My-Peer toolkit content.
You can access the survey by clicking on the link below (you may need to cut and paste it into your browser):

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=W1U_2bJhxVtl6u9pVtL_2fExRg_3d_3d
Thank you in advance for participating!
Jonathan Hallett
Research Fellow Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research School of Public Health Faculty of Health Sciences
Curtin University of Technology GPO Box U1987 Perth Western Australia
Telephone +61 8 9266 7021 Facsimile +61 8 9266 2958 Email j.hallett@curtin.edu.au

age of medical consent

The Consent To Medical Treatment and Palliative Care (Parental Consent) Amendment Bill 2009 (SA) proposes to amend the Consent To Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995 No. 26 (SA). This private member's Bill, sponsored by Robert Brokenshire MLC, was introduced into the Legislative Council and received its second reading speech on 23 September 2009.The Bill would:(a) amend the definition of "child" so that it means a person under 18 years of age, rather than 16 years of age; and(b) amend s. 12 (Administration of medical treatment to a child) to clarify that a medical practitioner may only administer medical treatment to a child without parental or guardian consent if reasonable efforts have been made to contact the parent or guardian.

Intersex - Semenya

The following was taken from msnbc.com.

Go here for a further read

"The concern that women with XY chromosomes have a competitive advantage “is malarkey. We don’t segregate athletes by height,” said Genel, speaking from an international endocrinology conference in New York that has sessions on intersex issues.
Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, past president of the American College of Medical Genetics and a member of the IAAF panel, agreed: “Any elite athlete ... has a competitive advantage, or otherwise they wouldn’t be an elite athlete.”
Simpson, associate dean at Florida International University, said the issue should be simply whether men are masquerading as women. Semenya is clearly a woman, he said. "

I sit here and read all of this storm over Semenya. What I hear is someone being upset because Semenya WON. It is couced in terms of 'She is not a woman' or 'Unfair advantage'

We dont see the governing bodies testing men that lose for LOW levels testosterone

What an INTOLERANT CULTURE we live in.

Cool new site in the UK

Really cool idea of approaching sexual health from a local community level: here is what they say in thier intro blurb..

More and more decisions about health services are now taken at a local level, and decision-makers have to take the views of local communities into account. This means that your voice is more important than ever, and you can have a huge impact on changing and improving sexual health, contraceptive and HIV services locally.
Through this website, you can access local data about sexual health, find out how decisions about local priorities are made, and take action by contacting key decision-makers in your area.
Together, we can improve sexual health in your community!

Go here to have a look - http://www.shoutloud.org.uk/

Global Patterns of Mortality in Young People

Some VERY interesting reading from the Lancet Journal volume 374 issue 9693: I suggest you go to the Lancet and join to read the full article.

Findings
2·6 million deaths occurred in people aged 10—24 years in 2004. 2·56 million (97%) of these deaths were in low-income and middle-income countries, and almost two thirds (1·67 million) were in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia. Pronounced rises in mortality rates were recorded from early adolescence (10—14 years) to young adulthood (20—24 years), but reasons varied by region and sex. Maternal conditions were a leading cause of female deaths at 15%. HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis contributed to 11% of deaths. Traffic accidents were the largest cause and accounted for 14% of male and 5% of female deaths. Other prominent causes included violence (12% of male deaths) and suicide (6% of all deaths).


Regional differences in age of onset of sexual activity and availability and accessibility of condoms, contraception, safe abortion, antenatal and obstetric care, and HIV testing are some of the reasons for the rise in female mortality with age.4, 35 High maternal mortality rates in some low-income and middle-income countries have been previously described,36 and are the target of the fifth Millennium Development Goal. Prominence of maternal death in this young age-group should be a further incentive for promotion of developmentally appropriate sexual and reproductive health services for young people.35 In view of the high number of deaths due to abortion, to ensure not only that contraception is available but also that all abortions are safe would do much towards reduction of mortality in young women.37 In regions without substantial maternal mortality, rates of female deaths generally remained low throughout adolescence and young adulthood.
In males, injury deaths contributed most to the rise in mortality with age worldwide, but rates and patterns of causes varied substantially across regions. Injuries account for around 10% of worldwide mortality for all ages, but in people aged 10—24 years they accounted for more than 40% of all deaths and about half of male deaths.16, 38 The importance of injury deaths in young people in high-income countries has been recognised.12, 13 However, injury mortality was most prominent in low-income and middle-income countries. This finding emphasises the need for heightened investment in injury-prevention programmes for this age-group.39 Diverse responses are needed because patterns of injury deaths varied substantially between regions. An increase in traffic-related deaths in many high-income countries up until the 1980s resulted in coordinated intersectoral policy responses, with a subsequent fall in mortality.9, 40 Typical preventive measures include investments in road infrastructure, compulsory seatbelts and helmets, and enforcement of legislation for use of alcohol and other drugs when driving.

Helen Fisher - Worry about antidepressent and attachment

Are t shirt messages harmful?

The following is a response that one of the SE&X course participants made to questions about 2 particular tshirts. Very interesting reading

"You know, there are so many people out there with t-shirts like the first and I think they are being sold and worn without people thinking about the impacts of them which is quite sad.

Recently in the news they told a story of a parents group that banned a t-shirt for babies saying 'they shake me' because of the negative message in which it sent about physical abuse. I don't see why the message on this t-shirt shouldn't be treated any differently as it can be viewed as sexual abuse where the message is unwanted by viewers.

In addition 'future MILF' implies that a young girl/ woman is wearing the t-shirt setting up an expectation that a female is successful if she has a certain appearance and certain behaviours which deem her to be 'sexy' enough to have people run after her. Furthermore, it is another example of fashion trying to sexualise young people at a young age.

The second picture is humurous where I can imagine people laughing at it because it is unrealistic. Unfortunately however, in every joke there is some truth whereby the message does stick, potentially distorting the image of males for all.

If a young person was wearing one of these (i.e. someone I was in contact with because of my work) I would point out that it was an interesting t-shirt, ask where they purchased it and why they picked that one. It would be interesting to find out what they interpreted the message to be and discuss further.

The impact of the slogan depends on the slogan itself I think. There are some slogans on t-shirts which really makes someone think and/ or re-evaluate their own values and attitudes towards a particular topic. However, the use of other slogans such as the featured through mediums such as fashion I believe can have a negative effect. We already know the impacts that the media have on body image and self-esteem and fashion is just another form of media. The more we are surrounded by messages such as these, the more they become acceptable and believable which can be a dangerous path for our concept of body and self image.

As a final note for some personal reflection - if I was usually confronted by these t-shirts in a shop or on a friend I'd probably have a bit of a laugh. It's not until you really think about the impacts that you realise that they are not so funny. Good activity."

Sex and Ethics Resource

ShineSA has recently added the new resource 'Sex and Ethics: The sexual ethics education program for young people.'Moira Carmody : PALGRAVE Macmillon Australia ( 2009)

This is a great resource that aims to promote ethical. non violent relathionships of young women and men aged 16 - 25 years. This is a 6 week program with activities, handouts, overheads etcetc.

If you are running programs with young people it is well worth a look. Come on in and check it out.

Hard on sex ads

Talkshow hosts condemn sex ads
Jonathan Dart
August 27, 2009

from www.smh.com.au

DESPITE spending more than $6 million a year spruiking its products on the airwaves, the Advanced Medical Institute was criticised by Sydney's biggest talkshow hosts yesterday. Ray Hadley and Mike Carlton delivered harsh rebukes to the company in spite of their respective stations, 2GB and 2UE, broadcasting AMI's advertisements.
It follows a parliamentary public hearing into AMI's business practices on Friday, which heard testimony from medical experts who said the company was ''concerned with its balance sheet rather than patient need''.

An injunction preventing the Herald publishing the testimonies was varied on Tuesday by the NSW Supreme Court. Hadley told listeners the advertisements were offensive. ''I'd rather we didn't have those ads on this radio station but I don't get much say in that,'' he said. ''They're a legal entity, they can advertise as they see fit. All I can do is tell you I don't read their commercials.''

Carlton quoted experts in the Herald's story, who described AMI's commercials as ''carefully constructed legal fiction''.
''There have been no more-criticised ads in my commercial radio career,'' he said. ''A great many listeners hate and loathe them and find them grossly offensive.''

A 2008 report by Nielsen Media found AMI spent $19.7 million on advertising last year, 31 per cent of it on radio.

That figure is expected to have grown, given that the company's advertising budgets have been increasing by more than 50 per cent year on year.

A company spokesman, Richard Doyle, appeared on both programs, saying medical experts who provided testimony at the parliamentary hearings were biased because they were competitors. He also criticised the Herald's coverage.

''The report in the Herald was highly biased and is consistent with their usual biased reporting on these issues,'' he said.

Mr Doyle, who also gave testimony at the hearing denying the allegations against AMI, quoted a private study in which 75 per cent of people did not find AMI advertisements offensive. He denied contracts were restrictive on customers, saying that 70 per cent of people changed their minds about the product before receiving the medication.
Asked if the company was reconsidering advertising with the stations after yesterday's comments, Mr Doyle said he was waiting to hear the full segments. ''It's very hard for me to comment without listening to the audio and understanding fully what was said.''
Join the conversation

what sexual scientists know

What Sexual Scientists Know...
The What Sexual Scientists Know About... series of brochures were developed to communicate sexuality research findings to the broader community through brief informational brochures about various sexuality related topics. These brochures will consider important sexual issues. There is no charge for an individual copy of a brochure. If you wish to order multiple copies or receive information about future brochures in this series, contact the publisher at:

Go here to see more

Sexual Communication

Interesting that we dont often talk openly about the kinds of communcation we use between sexual partners. Just like all other forms of communication there are specific ways that we speak ( or dont speak), touch, look, invade/engage in other peoples space etcetc:

I have just been reading a great little article on communicating in sexual health.(Uni of Sydney course notes) It quotes a beatiful passage from the book Urge by G. Morrissey ( 2002) (pg 112-113)

" Whispering sweet nothings, dirty talk, groaning, shouting his/her name, yes yes yes, are all good forms of communication, but they arent particularly helpful in terms of giving good head. If something isnt working for you SPEAK UP! Or if you are wondering whether what you are doing is hitting hte right spot, Ask."

This just made me wonder? When we teach young people about sexual health and relationships, should we also be teaching about how to communicate in a sexual situation??

New information from LaTrobe re teen sexual health

Teenage sexual health snapshots
04 Aug 2009

Four 'snapshots' of findings in the Fourth National Survey in the Sexual Health of Secondary School Students.

1) Young women’s knowledge of cervical cancer can be improved
2) Teenage oral sex increases
3) Teens turn to mothers and teachers for sex info
4) Unwanted sex- teens feeling pressured to take the plunge

To read more go to http://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2009/article/teenage-sexual-health-snapshots

Sexual Health for the Millenium Declaration

The World Association for Sexual Health ( WAS) has developed a sexual health declaration for ALL people.
It States the following:

1.Recognize, promote, ensure and protect sexual rights for all
Sexual rights are an integral component of basic human rights and therefore are inalienable and universal. Sexual health is an integral component of the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. Sexual health cannot be obtained or maintained without sexual rights for all.

2. Advance toward gender equity: Sexual health requires gender equity and respect. Gender-related inequities and imbalances of power deter constructive and harmonic human interactions and therefore the attainment of sexual health.

3. Condemn, combat and reduce all forms of sexuality related violence: Sexual health cannot be attained until people are free of stigma, discrimination, sexual abuse, coercion and violence.

4. Provide universal access to comprehensive sexuality education and information.
To achieve sexual health, all individuals, including youth, must have access to comprehensive sexuality education and sexual health information and services throughout the life cycle.

5. Ensure that reproductive health programs recognize the centrality of sexual health
Reproduction is one of the critical dimensions of human sexuality and may contribute to strengthening relationships and personal fulfillment when desired and planned. Sexual health encompasses reproductive health. Current reproductive health programs must be broadened to address the various dimensions of sexuality and sexual health in a comprehensive manner.

6. Halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Universal access to effective prevention, voluntary counseling and testing, comprehensive care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STI are equally essential to sexual health. Programs that assure universal access must be scaled up immediately.

7. Identify, address and treat sexual concerns, dysfunctions and disorders
Since sexual concerns, dysfunctions and disorders impact quality of life, it is critical to recognize, prevent and treat sexual concerns, dysfunctions and disorders.

8. Achieve recognition of sexual pleasure as a component of holistic health and well-being
Sexual health is more than the absence of disease. The right to sexual pleasure should be universally recognized and promoted. It is essential that international, regional, national and local plans of action for sustainabledevelopment prioritize sexual health interventions, allocate sufficient resources, address systemic,structural and community barriers and monitor progress.

Approved by the WAS General Assembly on April 17th, 2007, Sydney, Australia

Upcoming Course

Dont forget that those of you who have indicated an interest in the SE&X course the next one starts in September: Dates are:

Sept 23/24 Oct 14/15 and Nov 4/5 - All dates require attending

To enroll contact Sharon Formosa 83005317

Male Contraceptive

I found this on the World Heath Organisation website 'Sex and Reproductive Health' section

"The June 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism includes the report of the results of a Phase III efficacy and safety trial of a long-acting androgen for male contraception. This multicentre study was supported by RHR/HRP to assess the potential of monthly injections of testosterone undecanoate to provide an effective, safe and reversible contraceptive method for men"

Go here to read more

great youtube video -sexual rights for all

Thanks to Patricia Weerakoon for putting this link on to our University of Sydney website.

Syphilis Making Comeback, Gonorrhea More Treatment Resistant, LSUHSC's Martin Says

Here is some new information regarding STIs. It doesnt paint a pretty picture.

"the number of cases of the asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common reportable infectious disease in the US, is growing; gonorrhea, the second most common reportable infectious disease in the US, is growing more resistant to treatment; syphilis is making a comeback which could wipe out the gains made in syphilis control following the epidemic of the late 1980s; and M. Genitalium has the potential to become a public health target as recent work has now linked it to pelvic inflammatory disease in women along with being a known cause of nongonococcal urethritis in men. Dr. Martin's complete presentation follows here"

Opposing Sexual Violence Forum

I hope to see you there.

Women’s Health Statewide
Monthly Friday Forum

Opposing Sexual Violence
- legislation and prevention

Join Dr. Mary Heath (Law School, Flinders University) for an insight into recent changes to South Australian law in relation to sexual violence. She will discuss both the significance of these changes and evidence of their likely future impact. Dr Heath will also share some of her current thinking in relation to a preventative approach to sexual violence.
In addition to her academic work, Dr Heath is a well-known community activist and a wonderful singer.

When: 3pm – 5pm, Friday 28th August, 2009

Where: Women’s Health Statewide
64 Pennington Terrace,
North Adelaide

Cost: Free
Light refreshments will be provided

Bookings are essential as seating is limited.
RSVP to 08 8239 9600 by 21st August 2009.

The Sexology of Underbelly

A very good friend of mine ( a sexual health counsellor) wrote a brilliant little essay for ASSERT SA on the sexology ( my words) of 'underbelly' the Australian tv phenom. In it she looks at gender roles, media, stereotyping and entertainment etc etc.

As a piece to hold up to our mirror I reckon its pretty good. If you want to have a look go here and scroll down to 'underbelly'

Adelaide City Council Survey

This could be a good place for young people to idenfy issues re relationships/gender/power/ media imagry etcetc.


Are you aged 12 - 30?

Want to make the City a better place for young people?

Adelaide City Council is writing the Youth Policy for 2010-2014 and we need your ideas.

Please complete this short survey at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=mhzH_2fQIGGXYvgdoF0Sb3qg_3d_3d

for a chance to win an 8GB Ipod Touch.

Sexualisation In The Media

Hi, I'm a 15 year old girl living with magazines, billboards, TV adverts, music videos, movies and the sexualisation of girls in the media.

Every day I am bombarded with television ads telling me how to look good by using this product, or by putting this in my hair so I can look like that model. I have only just come to realise how much these advertisments effect me and the girls and boys around me, since I have been looking into it I have thought through the emotions I feel when I see certain pictures of half naked woman posing in sexual positions advertising a new pair of jeans. To be perfectly honest, I think, 'Wow, she has the body I want. Gee I wish that my legs would sit like that. Maybe if I did 100 squats before bed, ran an hour per night and only eat half of all my meals, yeah, maybe I'll look like that." Luckily I have the common sence to ignore these thoughts and aim on fully growing to the best of my ability. It is really frustrating to find out how much editing goes into pictures of models or celebrities. I think it's wrong to photoshop pictures because now people see the fake women and men and get the idea that people can be so perfect, of course real people are going to look 'not up to standard' against photoshopped people. It also makes me want to be photoshopped, as much as I hate the idea.

The bigger issue though is that in the entertainment industry/media women and girls are being used to sell products, it has always been quoted that 'sex sells' and it certanly does. When male and female models shoot pictures together I have only just noticed that the man always looks like he has the power, or the woman is serving him. I think this is inappropriate for this day and age, but I also think that it's the old fashion way of getting the attention of men, because most men enjoy power. In my eyes I see that the sexualisation of women is used because men can be thick when it comes to sexual pictures and will take that second glance which fools them into buying that product. Although, I'm not just blaming the men, in this world where teenagers are driven by sex and getting the attention of the opposite sex. When I see a picture of a girl wearing a sexy top that shows lots of skin I think, 'Hmm, maybe that guy will take a second look at me' and on occasions I have changed my shorts to shorter ones when someone I'm keen on is around. This is all from the influence of the adverts, magazines and internet.

I'm not against sexualisation in the media, I'm just concerned that it's driving the minds of my generation, the above generation and the below generation. Sexualisation is good on some levels, as in it sells, but young girls are becoming sexual earlier than they are really ready.

Kinsey Institue Juried Art Show 2009

Have a look at some of these fantastic pieces of art from this show. http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/services/gallery/jeas/2009/gallery.php Its nice to see people creating things around sexual health imagry. My favourite is called 'virgin happily unveiled'. It reminds me of an activity around media imagry that we do with barbies.....

Really good post on 'About face'

This is a really good series of posts about body image, media, manipulation and 'Do people even care'
The post start like this:

"One of the most vivid memories I have from high school was when I was shopping for prom dresses with a good friend. What started as a bonding experience quickly turned into something much more isolating.

We had completely different bodies. She was tall, thin, and had no hips, and I was shorter with decent-sized thighs. In high school we would bring in a bunch of dresses and trade off trying them all on. Most dress styles were tailored for the body type my friend inhabited, and because of this, she looked “better” in the dresses than I did. Needless to say, my attitude level dropped a few points below annoyed, and I walked out of the mall that day with a new-found dislike for my body, and for my friend. "

Please go have a look ( here) at this and also read more about Calven Klein there as well.

Yet again:Secret Flirt

I can still hardly believe it when I see crap like this being pushed on our young people. ( thanks to Australin Research Alliance Children and Youth) for passing this on.

SECRET FLIRTS
WITH SECRET FLIRTS, BECOME IRRESISTIBLE!
LOVE STORY + LOVE COACH + LOVE MESSENGER = PRINCE CHARMING GUARANTEED!
A LOVE COACH Discover plenty of real, indispensible advice for teens given to you by your best friend and always available on your phone or in your diary! What you should or shouldn't do on a first date for example.
A LOVE MESSENGER A simple communication system so you can chat online with your friends using emoticons (Using the Nintendo DS wireless feature - just one cartridge required for 5 consoles)
A TRUE "LOVE STORY"A young girl who has had enough of not being noticed by boys her own age. Using to the LOVE QUIZ, find out your love profile and what you have in common with the boys and the romantic adventure begins!

A promotional video providing a walk-through of Secret Flirts starts with a groovy young girl giving a sly wink and a Cupid's arrow piercing a pink heart.
The first "lessons" of the game teach girls to do their make-up and choose clothes and accessories.
The next lesson is to "improve your attraction" by going to a hairdresser, a beauty centre and a gym. Then players are ready to listen to advice from the "Love Coach".
"Become more irresistible day after day – then win the heart of the boy of your dreams," Secret Flirt promises.

The Truth About Men Boys and Sex

Men, boys and sex

Most men think about sex several times a day. Across the
globe, on any given day, sexual intercourse happens 120
million times. In Nicaragua, one in three men first had sex before the age of 15, compared to one in 20 men in Ethiopia. By the age of 24, one in three sexually active people in the USA will have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In Japan, 35 per cent of people have sex weekly, compared to 71 per cent in Mexico. The country boasting the most amount of time actually spent on sexual intercourse is Brazil at 30 minutes. The quickest sexual
intercourse in the world is in Thailand, where it generally lasts 10 minutes. In the UK, 6.1 per cent of men reported that they had had a homosexual experience6 and in the USA 2.8 per cent of men identified themselves as gay or bisexual. Worldwide, 15.3 million men are living with HIV. As this snapshot of facts and figures shows, men and boys have different sexual desires, behaviour and experiences. A wide range of different programmes and policies are therefore needed to respond effectively to their differentsexual health needs. The evidence indicates that male involvement in effective and innovative sexual and reproductive health and HIV programmes is critical; for their own sake, for their partners and families, and for changing gender stereotypes of how men and women should act.

The above information ius taken from International Planned Parenthood Federation document 'The truth About Men boys and sex -Gender Transformative Policies and Programmes. Its well worth a read. Go here to read more.

Position vacant

Its not often that positions come up at SHineSA: Here is one that may interest our network members.

SHine SA is an innovative non-government, primary health care agency working for and with the South Australian community and partner agencies to improve sexual health and well-being.

We are recruiting for the following vacancy.
Manager East/West Primary Health Care Team
AS07 ($78,402 - $85,105 per annum) - 37.5 hours p/week (1 fte)
SHine SA – based at 64c Woodville Road Woodville

The Manager contributes to the promotion and improvement of the sexual health of the community, through the effective and efficient management of the human, physical and financial resources of the East West Primary Health Care Team.

An application kit including Job and person specification and Guidelines for applications can be obtained by downloading from the website at http://www.shinesa.org.au/ or contacting Desiree Schild on (08) 8300 5346 or 1800 188 171 (SA Country Callers), or email desiree.schild@health.sa.gov.au.
For further information contact Ms Kaisu Vartto, Chief Executive Officer on (08) 8300 5345, fax (08) 5300 5399 or email kaisu.vartto@health.sa.gov.au.

Applications, including 4 extra copies, should address and demonstrate competency in the essential requirements of the job and person specification and include a Curriculum Vitae and the names and contact numbers of three referees. Applications will be received via email, mail or fax and should be marked Private and Confidential addressed to:
Kaisu Vartto
Chief Executive Officer
SHine SA
PO Box 76 Woodville SA 5068
or emailed to kaisu.vartto@health.sa.gov.au
Applications close at 5.00 pm on Monday 13 July 2009
This appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Pre-employment Screening/National Police Certificate.
SHine SA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
www.shinesa.org.au

Supporting Pregnant teens

Supporting pregnant teens & young parents
A symposium convened by the Association of Women Educators August 4 and 5, 2009 -
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

A unique networking opportunity for state and federal government departments (education, health, communities, child safety, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander policy, women’s policy) as well as community agencies and organisations, youth programs, and schools conducting support programs for pregnant and parenting students.
© The experiences of diverse groups of pregnant & parenting teenagers
© Sharing models of support
© Highlighting what’s working well
© Identifying gaps in service delivery

Please post/fax registration and payment to Association of Women Educators, PO Box 229, Sandgate QLD 4017. Fax No: 07 3869 3436 Ph No: 07 3869 3433.
Email: awe1@bigpond.net.au

IS ANYONE GOING TO THIS? I WOULD LOVE TO GET A HAVER SOMEONE REPORT ON IT HERE ON THIS BLOG.

Why dont hetero men like to use condoms?

One of the topics that regularly come up in discussions regarding safer sex is that:
A) condoms are about as good as it gets when it comes to safer sex.
B) BUT... they are not used enough - young men say they dont like to use them.

I reckon research into WHY they are not used is money well spent. It might give us a clue as how to make them better OR even a clue as to how to develop a better form of contraception that also acts as a prevention for STIs.

Have a look at this article I got from a link posted by the Kinsey Institute facebook site.


"The federal government is spending $423,500 to find out why men don't like to wear condoms, a project government watchdogs say is a nearly-half-a-million-dollar waste of taxpayer money.
Researchers at Indiana University's Kinsey Institute, with funding from the National Institutes of Health, are investigating why "young, heterosexual adult men" have problems using condoms. The study will include "skill-based intervention" to teach grown men how to use protection.
The first phase of the two-year study called "Barriers to Correct Condom Use" will be a simple Q&A, but doctors say the second phase will plumb uncharted territory.
"The second phase involves a laboratory study, and focuses on penile erection and sensitivity during condom application," reads the abstract from Drs. Erick Janssen and Stephanie Sanders, both of the Kinsey Institute.
"The project aims to understand the relationship between condom application and loss of erections and decreased sensation, including the role of condom skills and performance anxiety, and to find new ways to improve condom use among those who experience such problems."

Teen Pregnancy

Here is some information from the latest research into A 'Picture of Australian Children 2009 report: Australian Institute of health and Welfare' This information gives us MORE ( as if its really needed) information to justify our work around sexual health and relationships AND education of our young people.


"A number of factors are associated with teenage birth including family history of teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse in childhood, unstable housing arrangements, poor school attendance and performance, socioeconomic disadvantage, absence of a father figure, living in rural and
remote areas, and being Indigenous (Slowinski 2001). While not all teenage births result in negative outcomes for mother and child, the circumstances that often contribute to teenage birth mean that many young mothers do not receive the support they need during and after the birth. There is also the question of whether certain groups of young women have adequate support to avoid unintended pregnancy. Knowledge about reproductive matters and access to contraception are important factors in preventing unintended teenage pregnancies."

Example of cultural support of men abusing young girls

P.E.I. baseball player's sex conviction overturned Last Updated: Friday, April 23, 2004 12:51 PM ET
CBC News

A 19-year-old man in Prince Edward Island has had his conviction overturned on charges he coerced two girls to perform oral sex.

Cass Rhynes was convicted in October on two counts of inciting girls under the age of 14 to touch him for sexual purposes.

The judge had sentenced him to 45 days in jail in addition to one-year probation and 100 hours of community service.


His lawyer appealed the decision, saying Rhynes was a passive participant. The appeal court agreed, overturning the conviction on Friday.


FROM DEC. 22, 2003: Baseball hopeful sentenced in sex case

Rhynes admitted to receiving oral sex from a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old girl but said he believed at the time both girls were 14, the age of consent in Canada.
He was 18 when it happened.

He testified he did not intimidate or incite the girls to have sex. One of the girls corroborated that testimony.

The decision means Rhynes will not have a criminal record.

Rhynes was drafted this year by the L.A. Dodgers

I wonder how an 18 year old can be considered to be a PASSIVE participant in oral sex?????
I have used this article in the past to discuss with young men the issues around power/gender/sex/abuse etc etc. It has sparked very good discussions

HIV and young Australians

EROTOPHOBIA

Have you ever heard this term ' erotophobia' before. It refers to our fear of teaching about pleasure in nour sexual health and relationships education. There is an argument that until we are able to discuss sex positive information, until we are able to eroticise our sexual health education we wont be fully providing our young people with enough knowledge, tools etc etc to make informed decisions regading thir own sexual health and relationships.

Here is an abstract from an article that outlines this thinking very well:

The pursuit of pleasure is one of the primary reasons people have sex; and sex is the most common way people contract HIV worldwide. Yet information about how to have (or deliver) pleasurable sex and stay healthy are largely missing from health resources and HIV prevention campaigns. Wendy Knerr and Anne Philpott explore how `erotophobia' in the health and development sectors is hindering effective safer sex promotion, and highlight best practices from The Global Mapping of Pleasure, 2nd Edition, a collection of case studies on pleasure and safer sex communication from countries and contexts around the world.Development (2009) 52, 95-100. doi:10.1057/dev.2008.79

Oral Sex is the New Goodnight Kiss

I just started reading this. Go to this website and have a look. ShineSA has a copy in the library if you are interested.

Below is an excerpt -

"Some of the prettiest girls from the most successful families are prostituting. They are being targeted at their schools and at malls – places we consider safe. And, the predator is often an acquaintance. “The youngest girl I recruited for prostitution was 10. I didn’t care. I would just bring in all these stupid little girls,” explained Leigha, 15.

Of the high school girls he was prostituting, Luu Dang, 35, says, “White girls don’t really mind having sex with men for money. They’re not like Chinese girls. White girls only care about money”. Girls live in a culture where sexuality is tied to celebrity, status and money.

What happens to young girls who are conditioned to feel empowered only when they are the sexual center of attention? “When you see really hard solid men lose their shell, that’s really a powerful thing and it is all the time whatever kind of sex it is. I never knew I had so much power,” explains Rachael, 16.

“Both my girls crave the spotlight. They love being the center of attention,” explains Gwen, a biologist. “As a mother you really don’t want to think your kid can trade sex, but I knew [Rachael] was engaging in all kinds of sexual behaviors and guys would buy her clothes for sure. It’s interesting that she thought trading sex was a form of being powerful because to me it’s the ultimate in submission – selling your body.”

Here are some of my thoughts:

Suddenly coerecian and sex for favours seems a big deal because its MIDDLE CLASS WHITE GIRLS. However this crap has been going on for a long time for other less powerful groups.

Another thought is that this appears to be made as a warning to girls ( yet again) - dont let yourself get in trouble, dont be a victim etc etc. What I would like to see on top of this is the information about STOPPING THE MEN WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE. Its time to look at ways of changing the culture we live in that supports and allows this stuff. Why the hell do some men believe that forcing young girls to have sex is a good thing?? We need lots more work around this stuff.

Having said that - the DVD that comes with this resource is REALLY powerful and saddening. Get a copy yourself and have a look. Then make some comments.

masturbation - reasons to!!

I took this straight off the website about.com.

If you are working with people who are embarrassed or worried about masturbation you could show them this:

6 REASONS TO MASTURBATE TODAY
http://sexuality.about.com

Masturbation can increase self-knowledge:
Sex educators don’t call masturbation the cornerstone of sexual health for nothing. Masturbation is the first, safest, and best way to get to know how your sexual body works. You can learn what turns you on and what doesn’t. You can learn how to give yourself sexual pleasure in a hurry, or when you’ve got nothing but time. As an educational tool, masturbation is better than any textbook, video or website you’ll ever read (that includes this one!).

Masturbation can lead to self-discovery:
Even if you know how to get the job done, masturbatorally speaking, your capacity to feel sexual pleasure is limitless and masturbation is a great way to find new functions for familiar parts. Often when we’re having sex with a partner we might be too self-conscious, shy, or otherwise distracted to pay close attention to what’s happening in our own body. Masturbation, when you’re doing it by yourself, allows you to focus on the subtlety of your own sexual response , and possibly discover things you hadn’t previously realized were part of your sexuality.

Masturbation is nature’s sleep aid:
While thinking about sex might keep you up at night having it, including masturbation, is a great way to deal with insomnia. In a 2000 study of U.S. women, 32% said that in the past three months they masturbated as a way to fall asleep. Whether it’s because of the hormones and endorphins released following orgasm, the benefits of clearing your head, or the mini cardio workout, masturbation that ends in orgasm is a great way to get to sleep without pills, television, or counting sheep.

Masturbation provides pain relief:
Whether you’re experiencing temporary or chronic pain from sore joints, headaches, menstrual cramps, or other causes, masturbation and orgasm can, in some cases, provide natural pain relief. While we don’t know exactly why, research has documented arousal and orgasm resulting in reduced pain thresholds. It’s worth pointing out that for some conditions (like migraine headaches ) orgasm can either reduce the pain or increase it.

Masturbation is a great stress reliever:
Several studies have documented the relaxation effects of masturbation induced orgasm. Aside from the physical benefits, masturbation, when you’re doing it right, is all about “you time” and taking time to focus on yourself is a great way to break up the stress of a busy life. Particularly when used with sexual fantasy, masturbation can be a great escape, a way to let off some steam, and while masturbation alone might not be enough to deal with all the stress in your life, it’s a healthy, free, and non-pharmaceutical tool right at your fingertips (or other body part or sex toy, as the case may be).

Masturbation may offer cancer prevention:
Two recent studies found a link between the number of times a man ejaculates and the likelihood of getting prostate cancer. The prostate gland produces and stores seminal fluid and the fluid can build up in the prostate if a man goes a long time without ejaculating. This build up isn’t always a problem, but in the studies men who ejaculate more were less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Another researcher has proposed a theory that orgasm may offer some protective effect against breast cancer via oxytocin released at orgasm.

So go for it: After all May is masturbation month

IDAHO

I'm just passing this invite on to EVERYBODY

"Hi there,

Pleased see attached your invitation to a VERY important GLBTIQ Event…

The IDAHO 09 ‘Stars Against Homophobia’ Event

The 2009 International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is THIS SUNDAY! May 17 is the day that the world unites to say NO! to homophobia, and Adelaide will once again lead the country in uniting to celebrate diverse sexualities.

What is IDAHO?
On 17 May 1990, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders. The fight for the recognition of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people continues today, across the globe and in SA!
But what is happening in SA in 2009?

Well, the IDAHO organising committee has been working hard since last year ensuring that IDAHO 09 is bigger and better than ever.

The ‘Stars Against Homophobia’ Event will be held at the Higher Ground Art Café on Light Square, Adelaide on Sunday, March 17 at 2pm and will launch the display of STARS against Homophobia! It will include a speech by the Hon Ian Hunter MLC, the sharing of stories from young queer members of the Second Story Youth Health Service and performances from local STARS Lori Bell, Luke Ashby and Linda Paterson followed by an evening of acoustic music at Higher Ground’s ‘Acousticum’. The event is catered and bar facilities will also be available.

The City of Charles Sturt IDAHO BBQ Breakfast is also happening this Friday, May 15 at the Woodville Train Station from 8am. Join local services in celebrating IDAHO with a hot BBQ breakfast, music, face painting, a door prize and speeches!

For more information you can click on the link here www.acsa.org.au/idaho.html and visit the SA IDAHO webpage (via the Gay Men’s Health Website) which has lots of information, history, links and downloads of posters and other material for you to decorate your home or workplace with. There is also a list of services that are holding activities for IDAHO 09.

You can also contact Danny for more information on 0433 626 131.
Come help celebrate SA’s diverse sexualities and communities and say NO to homophobia on May 17.
The IDAHO Organising Committee