Doing ‘IT‘

#33 Early Years

Often people think that Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is only for students in senior years of primary school or secondary school. However, there is a lot of information that can be taught to children even before they get to school. Expert educator Athi from Family Planning Victoria, talks about what could be included in an RSE program in pre-school or kindergarten. 
Resources:
More information about FPV go to fpv.org.au. See information about Child Safe Standards. Book- Everyones Got A Bottom by Tess Rowley. . 

#32 The Pleasure Perspective

In this episode Anne speaks with Karen Molhuysen from Sexual Health Quarters in Western Australia. SHQ is part of the Family Planning Alliance Australia, and does very similar work to FPV. Karen has some practical advice on starting a conversation about sex with the idea that sex is most often about pleasure. 
Resources:
See Sexual Health Quarters.  World Health Organisation definition of sexual health. Research and recommendations about Sexuality Education see the UNESCO International technical guidance on sexuality education: an evidence-informed approach. Scarleteen has articles for young people on sexual health and sexual pleasure. For FPV school programs, resources and lesson plans go to the schools portal or fpv.org.au.

#31 Dr Gemma Sharp

In this episode Anne talks to Dr Gemma Sharp. Gemma is a clinical psychologist and Senior Research Fellow in the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre where she leads the Body Image Research Group. Gemma discusses young people and genital self image, the rising popularity of labiaplasty surgery and the positive impact education can have on body image.
Resources:
For more information about FPV @ fpv.org.au.  Parents and carers can register interest in having a 13-15 year old girl participate in Gemma’s latest research about young people and genital self image (available at time of publication) . Dr Gemma Sharp twitter page and Monash University biography  including links to research. Watch Gemma’s TED talk. Have a look at Women’s Health Victoria Labia Library.

#30 COVID homework

In this episode we provide some small RSE homework tasks for each year level. FPV Schools Manager Bonnie details the skills and knowledge we would like students to have at different stages of their schooling. It is possible that due to COVID restrictions, students may miss out on planned RSE classes this year. Parents and carers who try a recommended task will be helping prepare their children for when life returns to something more like normal.
Resources
For more information about FPV and our school programs go to fpv.org.au. Youth Law Australia has state by state information about laws relating to sex and sexting. eSafety Commissioner for information about keeping safe online including talking about pornography with young people.
PDF cheat sheet of homework tasks.

#29 Katrina Marson

In this episode Anne speaks with criminal lawyer Katrina Marson. Katrina has done extensive international research into Relationships and Sexuality Education as a preventive strategy to reduce the incidence of sexual violence in the community. Katrina discusses the potential impact of RSE programs, barriers to success, and what models work well in other parts of the world.
Resources:
For more information about FPV @ fpv.org.au. Katrina Marson's paper Ignorance is not Innocence. UNESCO International technical guidance on sexuality education: An evidence-informed approach(2018).

Episode #28 Abortion

In this episode FPV Medical Director Dr Kathy McNamee explains the process of abortion. This is something that students in secondary school often ask about. Young people want to know about availability and privacy of abortion services. Kathy covers  Australian laws around abortion, what might happen to someone’s body during an abortion and what support a person might need before and after an abortion.
Resources:
Go to FPV website. 1800myoptions is a Victorian service for information about sexual health choices and service providers. Marie Stopes is a national organisation providing sexual health and abortion services.  The Royal Women’s Hospital has information about unplanned pregnancy. The Museum of Contraception and Abortion provides some historical context to the dangerous things women have tried over the centuries to end a pregnancy.
 

#27 Emergency Contraception

In this episode Anne talks with Family Planning Victoria Dr Sara Whitburn and pharmacist David from Woodhouse Grove Pharmacy about emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy if no contraceptive protection was used, if the condom broke, or if a contraceptive pill was missed. It's yet another important part of the sexual health conversation parents and carers can have with their young people. Dr Sara talks about how emergency contraception works and David talks through the process of purchasing this at a pharmacy.
Resources:
We have information on the FPV website about contraception. 1800myoptions is a Victorian service which compiles information about sexual health choices and service providers. The Royal Women’s Hospital for information about asking a pharmacist for Emergency Contraception. The Museum of Contraception and Abortion provides some historical context to ending or preventing pregnancy.

#26 PrEP and PEP

In this episode Anne speaks to FPV's Dr Lucy Donovan, about preventing human immunodeficiency virus or HIV through the use of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP and PEP are ways of using anti-viral medication to suppress HIV and stop its spread. PrEP and PEP might be used by people of all genders. Talking about these medications is an important part of a discussion about STI and BBV risk and safer sex practices.  Many parents and carers aren't aware of how they are used, so here are the basics to get the conversation started.
 
Resources:
Search "PrEP" on FPV's website, You can get information on how to access PrEP and PEP in Australia at www.pan.org.au . Other Victorian websites to look up for information include Thorne Harbour Health and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre. 
 

#25 Sexually Transmissible Infections

In this episode Dr Suzanne Pearson from FPV talks through Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI's). Learning about STI's is part of gaining an understanding of sexual health. Suzanne talks about the effect of STI's when they are not diagnosed and the availability of treatment. Also, the importance for young people to be confident to ask for testing and being able to discuss testing status with sexual partners. 
Resources: 
See the FPV website about Sexually Transmissible Infections. Rosie Respect & Scarleteen are websites for young people providing information about sex and relationships, including  information about STI’s. A GP or sexual health clinic such as Family Planning Victoria will have information on services for testing and treatment.

#24 Contraception

In this episode Dr Lona Brown from Family Planning Victoria talks about contraception. This is an important part of our secondary school sex education. Lona talks through up to date information about contraception, including efficacy, cost and privacy. It's important for young people to have this information, so they are able to be responsible for their own sexual health and support their sexual partners.Resources:See FPV website about contraception. 1800myoptions is a Victorian service which compiles information about sexual health choices and service providers. Jean Hailles for Women’s Health also has information.  The Museum of Contraception and Abortion for some historical context to pregnancy prevention.