Marie Stopes International Welcomes National Campaign to Encourage Conversations about Contraception

A new campaign to help young people to make informed choices about contraception, look after their sexual health and avoid unintended pregnancies has been launched today by the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, together with the National Chlamydia Screening Programme. Leading sexual health agency Marie Stopes International makes the following statement:

“Marie Stopes International welcomes the new national campaign to promote more open and honest discussions about sex, relationships and contraception among 16 to 24 year olds and their parents.

At Marie Stopes International’s UK clinics we often see young people seeking information and services following unprotected sex, resulting in an unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection. We hope that the first phase of the Government’s campaign, ‘Contraception. Worth Talking About’, will encourage younger people to talk more openly about their contraceptive options, and find a method to best suit their individual needs and circumstances, enabling them to practice safer sex.

The Government has made progress in improving the sexual health of teenagers over recent years, with the 2008 abortion statistics from the Department of Health showing a drop in the under-18 abortion rate from 2007, and with a recent move to make sex and relationships education a compulsory part of the national curriculum. However, the good work needs to persist, since young people continue to be bombarded with sexual images via the television, the internet and even computer games, many of which include negative stereotypes around gender, relationships and sex.

To combat stereotypes, relevant Government departments and healthcare professionals need to work together on sexual health campaigns to normalise conversations about sexual health and to provide young people with consistent, accurate and factual information about relationships, emotions, sexual health and sexuality. This will assist young people to be understanding and tolerant to others, and not to be discriminated against themselves. It may also assist them in resisting pressure and coercion to engage in sexual relationships before they are ready.

Parents also have a vital role to play in educating their children about fulfilling relationships and safe sex practices before they become sexually active. Many adults find it difficult to talk to their children about sex, but the new Government campaign may assist parents and help them to feel more comfortable in promoting an open attitude towards sex-related conversations, to ensure their children approach them for advice if needed.
Prevention is better than cure, and the evidence is clear that when men and women of all ages are able to talk about sex, and are provided with information and access to a variety of contraceptive methods, real reductions in sexually transmitted infections rates, and unintended pregnancy (and consequently abortion) rates, can be achieved.”

All quotes are attributable to Anne Quesney, Policy and Parliamentary Advisor UK & Europe, Marie Stopes International.

For further information about the new campaign, visit: www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout

Ends

For media enquiries and spokesperson interview please contact:
Emily James: 0207 034 2307 / 07815 009257

Tony Kerridge: 0207 034 2365 / 07748 948 037

Notes to editors:
MSI is a specialist organisation providing expert and confidential care and support to adults and teenagers in relation to their sexual and reproductive healthcare. This includes advice, information and services related to regular and emergency contraception provision, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.

MSI provides a 24 hour information line to offer advice and assistance: 0845 300 8090.

Categories: United Kingdom; Europe; Contraception; Family planning

30/11/2009

Marie Stopes International Welcomes National Campaign to Encourage Conversations about Contraception

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