Friday, March 27, 2009

Even your therapist might be homophobic

Even the occupations that you might think would be more accepting of the diversity in our world are often discriminatory.

LONDON - A sixth of British therapists said they had tried to help gay, bisexual and lesbian patients become heterosexual, even though evidence suggests such therapies can be harmful, according to a survey released on Thursday.
Michael King of University College London, who published his findings in the journal BMC Pyschiatry, said the number of therapists who said they had tried to help a person change their sexual orientation was surprising.

Go here to read more

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Innovative measures slash STIs Bangladeshi camps

Very intertesting ideas and innovations are occuring in many mnaqy places. Here is one. ( taken from UNHCR) I received this link through the Lancet journal )

NAYAPARA REFUGEE CAMP, Bangladesh, January 14 (UNHCR) – Zafor Ullah has been a community health worker for his fellow Rohingya refugees for eight years. When his duties expanded nearly two years ago to include condom distribution, he became an immensely popular man.
"The people in my community like to come to my house to get condoms as they can catch me [there] all the time," the 22-year-old refugee from Myanmar explains. "They might have to wait at the clinic and explain the purpose of their visit. So, to avoid all the hassle, they prefer to visit my house."
Using community health workers to distribute condoms out of their houses to both male and female refugees in the two camps in Bangladesh was the breakthrough move in a series of measures taken by UNHCR that have dramatically reduced the incidence of sexually-transmitted infections (STI) among the refugees, says Zahid Jamal Khattak, UNHCR's medical coordinator in Cox's Bazar.
Since the end of 2005, the average STI incidence per month has dropped 67 percent in the Nayapara and Kutupalong Camps, near Cox's Bazar, together home to 28,000 Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar's northern Rakhine state. The actual drop among registered refugees has been greater, Dr. Jamal explains, but the numbers are kept higher by unregistered Rohingya living on the outskirts of Kutupalong who are treated in the camp on a humanitarian basis.
The success comes from a three-year UNHCR programme that started by training staff in the camps' out-patient clinics to recognize and properly diagnose STIs, coupled with increased availability of the correct drugs. However, problems arose in tracing partners to treat all affected patients.
Many male refugees who work outside the camp are having extramarital sex and bringing infections back to their wives, but "culturally, giving condoms to women [in the clinic to prevent future infections] was not very well appreciated," Dr. Jamal explains.
The breakthrough came with the distribution of condoms through the 39 community health workers (14 of them women) in the two camps out of their own homes, rather than the clinics. Religious leaders were included in the health workers' training to avoid any problems.
Condom distribution has skyrocketed from a paltry 780 in 2005 to 62,580 last year, and Mahamuda Khatun, a 32-year-old community health worker, says she gets requests from women refugees as well as men. "Unmarried male and female refugees visit my house in order to get condoms," she says. "They say it will help them to prevent disease."
She says one refugee woman told her she gets her husband to use a condom because "he goes out to work frequently and I don't want to catch any disease from him."
Condom use was also spurred by training on HIV prevention and education on family planning for a population that traditionally has many children. It's the kind of knowledge that Mahamuda wishes she had had earlier. "I have four children. If I had had a chance to know the consequences of having more children, I certainly would have limited my family," she says.
Both Zafor and Mahamuda feel they are helping their community. "The remuneration that I get is very little," says Zafor, "but the contribution that I provide to my fellow refugees is very big."
He's even had some pleasant surprises. One refugee man Zafor thought he had failed to persuade, later came back asking for condoms for birth control. "He said if his family becomes bigger, he will not be able to give them proper education and food," Zafor reports. "This gives me a lot of confidence and satisfaction."
And if UNHCR is able to supply more condoms, Zafor wants to be even more active. "Currently I do not go to refugees' houses to motivate them to take condoms," he explains. "When I have more supply, then I will visit refugees' houses and I'll try to motivate them and make more people aware."
By Ikterrudin Mohammed Bayzid in Nayapara Refugee Campand Kitty McKinsey in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

De bunking sexting

One of my favourite blog writers ' Cory Silverberg' from About.com:Sexuality has a different perspective on sexting than the one I posted in video form 2 weeks ago.

Here is what he says:

"My favorite not for profit sex tech organization ISIS was featured on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle today responding to the recent rash of media coverage about teens sending naked pictures of themselves and each other over their mobile phones and the smaller but scarier series of charges that local cops have laid on teens engaging in this behavior (about two dozen teens in six states). In some of the cases teens are being charged with producing and distributing child pornography.
The activity has been called “sexting” a term that as best as I can tell was made up by an adult who’s never done it. It doesn’t even sound like a word anyone under the age of 30 would use. I’d love to know the derivation of it, because even the use of the word “sex” in the term suggests it was made up by someone who either disapproves of it or wanted to get people’s attention by using it (something catchy for headlines).
The piece is decidedly sex-positive and framed around the idea that what is fueling interest in this activity is fear about teen sexuality and technology. It included results from a survey of teens that found only 20 percent of teens acknowledged sending “nude or semi-nude” pictures online or through their phones."

Go here to read more

Research Project - seeking particpants

This is from the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault

The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA) is seeking participants for a research project. We would like to speak with adults who have experienced sexual assault(s) in adulthood (i.e. the assault(s) happened when aged 18 or over), and who are able to discuss the assault(s) with an experienced researcher.

The purpose of the research is to draw on the knowledge of people who have been sexually assaulted to expand understandings of how sexual assaults are perpetrated, better inform the community about this, better equip police to respond to this crime, inform therapists who work with sex offenders, and overall stop sexual violence from happening. We are doing this project because we believe people who have experienced sexual assault have important knowledge about how this crime is perpetrated. But they are not often asked to share this knowledge. When they are asked, it is usually in a police interview or in court, where they may not have control over what is discussed, or how it is discussed.

The focus of the interview will be to hear from you about the assault(s) , the perpetrator(s) of the assault(s), and how they did it. We are also keen to hear what you think would have to happen to stop the perpetrator(s) from committing further assaults.

Participation in this research will involve either doing an interview with a researcher from ACSSA, or being part of a group discussion with other participants, facilitated by ACSSA. If you currently have a counsellor, we encourage you to discuss your decision to take part with them. You can also have your counsellor with you for the research interview if you would like. The researchers involved in the project are experienced at talking with people about sexual assault, and you will have control over the interview. (You can stop it at any time.)


We would like to hear from you, if you:


1. are a female aged 18 or over
2. have been the victim of sexual assault that happened as an adult (18+ and how you define 'sexual assault' is up to you)
3. have received counselling or are receiving counselling which involved speaking directly about the assault(s) live in the Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia or Queensland
If you would like to take part in this project, please contact Haley Clark (03) 9214 7878 or email: haley.clark@aifs.gov.au at the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA), housed at the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) by 29 May 2009.

If you have any questions about the research you can also contact Antonia Quadara, ACSSA co-ordinator, on (03) 9214 7876 or the AIFS Ethics Committee on (03) 9214 7881.

AIFS also has a toll-free 1800 352 275 number which you can call. Please use the shortened 'Giving Voice' to AIFS reception so they can transfer you to Haley, Antonia, or the Ethics Committee.

To read more go here

International Day Against Homophobia




Here is an email that I recieved - Just passing it on to you




"Hi there,

I am writing to you on behalf of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) 2009 Planning Committee, which is made up of Government and Non-Government organisations, including Gay Men’s Health, SHine, The Second Story, Port Adelaide Primary Health Care Services, and Shopfront Youth Health & Information Service.

IDAHO is an annual event held on May 17th each year to commemorate the removal of homosexuality from the list of "mental disorders" by the General Assembly of the World Health Organisation. The theme for this year’s celebrations is Culture and Homophobia, with a particular focus on issues within newly arrived communities. If you would like any further information about IDAHO and how it started, please visit the following website (www.acsa.org.au/idaho.html). New information will be uploaded shortly.

This year, we are seeking your assistance with our celebrations. We are asking a wide range of organisations, such as yourselves, to engage with their clients, community members, group participants and co-workers around the effects of homophobia on their own lives and the lives of those around them e.g. family/friends/neighbours/co-workers.

So, here’s what we need from you:

· Open the IDAHO Stars Template attachment and print it out, then photocopy it onto coloured paper (red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple – rainbow colours);( Please contact Danny -details below -for your temaplate as I cannot load it here) Put the stars in a prominent position in your reception area, group rooms etc., along with a copy of the IDAHO Star Poster (which explains the purpose of the stars);
· Ask your clients/participants/community members and co-workers to write a short statement or story on the stars about their experiences of homophobia;
· Ask people to write their details on the IDAHO Stars Event RSVP form (see attachment) if they’re interested in finding out about how the stars will be used;
· Collect up all the stars that have been written on and send them to Jacintha Moerman at the Shopfront Youth Health and Information Service, 3-4/72 John Street, Salisbury, SA 5108
· The stars will then be displayed on Sunday, May 17th at a big IDAHO celebration event (details to be confirmed at a later date) which will feature speeches and performances by local Queer and Queer-friendly artists, politicians, and activists;
· We are also considering the possibility of using the stars to attract political attention to the issue of homophobia in Adelaide by presenting them to Parliament.

If you have any questions or need any further information please contact Danny Hales on 0433 626 131.

Cheers.
Lauren Riggs Primary Health Care Worker
Port Adelaide Primary Health Care Services Ambulatory and Primary Health Care Directorate Central Northern Adelaide Health Service
Phone: (08) 8240 9621 Fax: (08) 8240 9609 Email: Lauren.Riggs@health.sa.gov.au Website: www.health.sa.gov.au/cnahs

Video - AIDS -One world,one hope

Video - AIDS - One world, one hope
"Sometimes its better to be negative than positive. AIDS can happen to anyone. So don't isolate people who have it." Television advertisement from Slovenia, in English.
(Posted 25/3/09

Thanks to the Aids Council of South Australia hotnews for this link

Pregnancy Choices Training


This course books out VERY quickly: If you are in South Australia and want to attend here is the information.




Pregnancy Choices Training

This popular course is being offered again!

18th & 19th June 2009

Registration open now!
(applications close 5th June 2009)

Offered over two days
9.00 – 5.00


This course defines and explains all the options available to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. It is open to any health workers and professionals who encounter clients with unplanned pregnancy.

Day One will focus on information provision by experienced workers from the women’s reproductive health sector. The focus of Day Two will be resources & supports and application to practice. Counselling responses will also be addressed, however the purpose of the course is not teaching counselling skills.


Cost:
$110 (inc GST) for two day registration
(NOTE: Lunch not provided)

Held at SHine SA
GP Plus Health Care Centre
64c Woodville Road, Woodville
(car parking access off Bower Street)


Enquiries: Course Administrator, tel 8300 5317 or SHineSACourses@health.sa.gov.au

Registration Forms available from http://www.shinesa.org.au/ Click on ‘Courses & Workshops’

Friday, March 20, 2009

Pope Benidect speaks out against condom use!!

The following is taken from Medical News Today

Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday while heading to Yaounde, Cameroon, as part of a seven-day pilgrimage to Africa said that distributing condoms is not the answer to curbing the spread of HIV on the continent, the AP/Washington Post reports. "You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," Benedict said, adding, "On the contrary, it increases the problem" (Simpson, AP/Washington Post, 3/18). According to Benedict, addressing HIV/AIDS will require a "two-fold" solution. He said, "The first is a humanization of sexuality, spiritual renewal which brings with it a new way of behaving ... secondly, a true friendship, especially for those who are suffering, a willingness to make personal sacrifices" (Ward, Toronto Star, 3/18).

What do you think? wheres the harm?

Certainly humanising sexuality sounds good. True friendship and making personal sacrifices sounds right. Soooo here is my question. WHY CANT THE POPE MAKE A PERSONAL SACRIFICE AND SUGGEST THAT CONDOMS CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION?

Go here to read more

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Some funny advertisements from the Just Say Dont Know website




Go here to see more.

sexting

Some studies have identified that over 20% of highschool students have sent nude or semi nude txt photos/films of themselves.

Here is a pretty good youtube video re possibile negative outcomes of sexting:




"It’s OK to be flirty and feel sexy, but sexting isn’t harmless fun. You have no control over what happens to those pics—or your reputation—when sexting.

This came from the sexetc blog

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

In support of previous posting re Female Sexual Dysfunction

Here is an article taken from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29486082/


Sex patch for women fails to boost desire
Review also questions long-term safety of testosterone treatment


LONDON - Procter & Gamble's Intrinsa testosterone patches appear to not do much to boost a woman's sex drive after menopause and their long-term safety is unclear, a review found on Tuesday.

Intrinsa is licensed for use in Europe but not in the United States where, in 2004, regulators voted against approving the patches that deliver the male hormone, citing lack of evidence for their long-term safety.

"The published evidence so far is based on highly selected women and only shows small improvements in sexual parameters and large placebo responses," Ike Iheanacho, editor of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, which published the review of published studies.

go here to read more

Protecting Human Rights




This attachment was sent to me vias email:



"HAVE YOUR SAY"

Do you have ideas about how things could be better for young people in Australia?
In the first half of 2009 the Australian Government is running a National Human Rights Consultation. This is a great chance for you to have your say about how you think human rights should be protected in your country!

The Australian Human Rights Commission, the CREATE Foundation and the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia want to make sure young people’s voices are heard loud and clear during the national consultation process.So, we’re inviting young people (12-25 years) to come to a workshop where you can meet Catherine Branson (the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission), learn more about young people’s human rights and write your own submission to the national consultation. It’s quick and easy! And you don’t have to be an expert…just come and share your ideas.

WHERE: 220 Victoria Square, Tarndanyangga, Adelaide
WHEN: Wednesday 15 April 2009 (during school holidays)
TIME: 2pm – 4pm (snacks will be provided)
RSVP: By 9 April to catherine.maywald@humanrights.gov.au or call (02) 9284 9699

Female Sexual Dysfunction

This is a great article that describes the use of using our media made fear of sexuality as a money making enterprise.

Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Case Study of Disease Mongering and Activist Resistance
by Leonore Tiefer:2006

The creation and promotion of“female sexual dysfunction”(FSD) is a textbook case of disease mongering by thepharmaceutical industry and by other agents of medicalization, such as health and science journalists, healthcare professionals, public relations andadvertising firms, contract research organizations, and others in the“medicalization industry.”

Go here to read more

http://medicine.plosjournals.org/archive/1549-1676/3/4/pdf/10.1371_journal.pmed.0030178-S.pdf

Violence cont.... ( isnt it always)?

Here are 2 comments that a friend and I made about recent violence thoughts that we had: We exchanged these on facebook.

Me: "-I've got something to write on the blog but not to sure how to go about it.When both my kids were in town at Adelaide Fringe stuff on the weekend they each saw : Edd saw a guy get hit over a head with a bottle and then punched ( just outside the garden) - Ash was on the scene where the guy got stabbed.I want to write somethng about violence, alcohol, gatherings, media, event and our cultural support of this. BUT i also want to make it personal. About my experience as a dad and worring about my kids safety.Any ideas????"

Na: "...hmm I was so scared..I marched in the parade Friday noght..then tried to walk through rundle street with Emma...A and R....fucking scary..I saw a man holding his little baby above hishead..trying to get air....I have never seen adealide like that....Ja was there with friends too.....i was so worried..."

Okay! Whats going on with me. Am I responding to situations as a conservative? As I get older do I see things differently?( of course I do). But I have some questions:

Does a city council have responsibility to protect us from situations that can become violent? Do mass events with alcohol available freely contribute to violence? Is violence more prevalent than it used to be in Adelaide? Is it just more open? Does a police presence stop violence? Does it incite violence? Does our media enjoy violence? Is it just REPOTED more than it was??

Any comments gratefully accepted.

While we ( me) are talking about violence have you seen the new campaign from
Adults Surviving Sexual Abuse? I would be very very interested in your comments from thier campaign.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also here are some stats from australian institute of criminlogy:

Number of recorded crimes /Violent crime
Violent crime includes homicide, assault, sexual assault, robbery and kidnapping (sometimes referred to as abduction). Although robbery may include an element of property crime, it is included as a violent crime, as the use or threat of violence is a more serious offence.

Recorded crime
Between 1996 and 2003, the number of homicide victims • fluctuated between 332 and 386, before dropping below 300 in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, homicide rose above 300 again, to 319.
Continuing the trend of recent years,

robbery offences • increased in 2006.

The number of recorded kidnappings fluctuates yearly. • Over the period 1996–2004 kidnappings registered a general increase, but decreased between 2004 and 2006, from 768 to 725.

The trend in recorded sexual assaults showed a steady • increase over the period 1996–2004. A slight decrease in 2005 was followed by another increase in 2006.

Assaults continue to represent the majority of • recorded violent crimes. The overall trend since 1996 has been upward, with an increase of 50% between 1996 and 2006.


Lud

Monday, March 02, 2009

Violence/crowds/alcohol/events

Stay tuned - I ve had some scarey experiences over the weekend as a parent and a reveller ( At the Adelaide Fringe Festival).
I'm not sure what I have to say but somethng will come out.
Lud

Adolesence and Pornography



The following is from : Adolesence Pornography and harm ( go here)

Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice - Australian Institute of Criminalogy
No. 368 February 2009
Foreword

The probability that a young person will have exposure to pornography prior to the age of 18—the legal age in Australia at which it is permissible to view and purchase such materials—is very high. Concern exists, among both parents and policymakers, that widespread, premature exposure to pornography is changing the nature of sexual attitudes, behaviours, and intimate relationships and potentially contributing to sexual violence in society. The extent to which it is difficult to determine, owing to the scarcity of adolescent-based research and differing conceptions about harm. This paper examines the many factors that underpin pornography exposure, and stresses how the risk factors for exposure and problematic sexual behaviours intersect to contribute to harm. An understanding of the complex interplay of factors such as gender, age, attitude, personal characteristics and social context of use is important in the development of strategies that will assist young people to avoid any potential adverse outcomes. The available evidence remains highly incomplete, and its interpretation is highly contested, so the paper highlights the need for longitudinal studies of use and of actual behaviour, and for studies that focus on cultural contexts and emerging media.


Judy Putt General Manager of Research Services