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ENHANCING SEXUAL WELLBEING IN SCOTLAND - A SEXUAL HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS STRATEGY: Analysis of Written Responses to the Public Consultation
CHAPTER 3: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
3.1 The Draft Strategy starts with an introduction by the Chair of the Reference Group responsible for the development of it, which provides an overview of the spirit of and rationale for the Draft Strategy.
3.2 This section is followed by a background section outlining the overarching aims of the Draft Strategy and the key actions required. The overarching aims of the Draft Strategy are:
To influence the cultural and social factors that impact on sexual health
To support everyone in Scotland to acquire and maintain the knowledge, skills and values necessary for sexual wellbeing; and
To improve the quality, range, consistency, accessibility and integration of sexual health services.
3.3 The following broad actions are identified in the Draft Strategy as being key to supporting its implementation:
Provide national leadership
Provide local leadership
Set clear national and local targets and goals
Use existing mechanisms
Monitor progress to ensure delivery
3.4 These introductory sections provoked responses relating to some of the wording and intentions. Additionally, many of the general comments relating to the Draft Strategy which were not necessarily directed against specific recommendations appeared to refer to the overall spirit of the Draft Strategy as laid out in the first two sections. This section considers views on the overarching aims, and perceptions of the overall spirit and tone of the Draft Strategy.
3.5 The opening line of the Draft Strategy states, "Sex is a positive and fulfilling part of the lives of most people
, irrespective of age, culture or faith" (emphasis added) and this was interpreted by some people as condoning under-age sex (rather than being inclusive of older people as was presumably intended). Although the number of respondents mentioning this issue directly was not huge, it was clearly seen as sending out the wrong message so perhaps requires clarification in the final Strategy.
3.6 Another key area of concern relating to the introduction (and very much linked with the following chapters) is the position taken on morality. Paragraph 1.4 of the Draft Strategy states,
"Interpretations of morality, however, vary from individual to individual, society to society and faith to faith. We do not, therefore, feel that it is appropriate for this sexual health strategy to arbitrate on such matters."
3.7 This point was a key area of dispute, particularly from Individual and Faith Group responses, from three perspectives. Some felt that the Scottish Executive
should take a moral view and promote the view of sex being kept for marriage and focus on the importance of marriage and the family. Some respondents felt that sexual relations were inherently a moral issue and, therefore, any strategy addressing sexual relations must, by definition, take a moral stance.
"The strategy should actively promote marriage and stable family relationships as accepted by all Christian denominations and most other religions" (Individual).
"The fact that there are many different lifestyles in Scotland should not preclude this strategy from expressing a moral view on sexuality and sexual behaviour" (Faith Group)
"Sex, of course, is a
moral act; it involves
relationships between people […] To extract from sex all its profound moral significance is to tell only half the story." (Individual)
3.8 Although some thought that the SE should have taken a moral view but have failed to do so, others felt that the SE
has, in fact taken a moral view despite stating that it was unable to do so, and that the 'wrong' moral approach has been adopted (a perspective described as 'liberal' or 'humanist').
3.9 This was seen as incompatible with the views of many. There was a strong feeling that the Draft Strategy did not represent 'mainstream' values and beliefs of people living in Scotland, according to Individual respondents' perceptions of these values. Additionally, many respondents felt that there was a need for protection of the rights of those who would disagree with the values outlined in the Draft Strategy. It was suggested by many Individual respondents that the majority of Scottish people would be in this position.
"I think it is time for the voice of the ordinary decent person to be heard and their views and concerns listened to" (Individual)
"There is a need for protection of the rights of those who would disagree with the values laid out in the strategy." (Faith Group)
3.10 Among those who thought that the SE should be taking a moral stance regarding sexual behaviour, some stated that they were shocked by many proposals in the Draft Strategy and felt that the whole tone and approach was wrong and potentially damaging to society. For example,
"The draft represents a real threat to the moral fibre of our society" (Individual)
"Focuses on enjoyment rather than on procreation of children - this is wrong" (Individual)
"Moral and ethical issues seem to have been sidestepped in an attempt to be practical." (Individual)
"It studiously avoids recommending monogamous and indissoluble marriage as the ideal setting to ensure the sexual health of sexually active persons." (Individual)
3.11 Strong responses were also expressed in relation to the potential impact of seeking to normalise same sex relationships as respondents thought this could have the effect of promoting homosexuality. Many responses suggested that the Scottish Executive has put too much emphasis on diversity which, in the view of many, wrongly elevates same-sex relationships to the same level as marriage between men and women. Many (but by no means all) of these respondents were not opposed to same sex relationships but thought that heterosexuality should be perceived as the mainstream sexuality. Almost a quarter of all responses were critical of what they saw as either promoting homosexual behaviour or equating homosexual relationships with heterosexual marriage. Several respondents questioned the term 'heterosexism' and did not think it was a suitable or acceptable term. The Draft Strategy was also criticised for not making enough of a distinction between appropriate and inappropriate sexual behaviour.
"I get alarmed when I hear that homosexuality is being presented as normal behaviour when the bible clearly teaches that it is sinful" (Individual)
"According to the strategy, diversity is to be celebrated but those who do not support homosexuality are deemed homophobic or heterosexist." (Individual)
"Homosexual sex is medically dangerous and should have no place in a sexual health strategy." (Individual)
"This is a highly controversial subject and should therefore not be promoted as something everyone should accept in the same way. The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm is a widespread view across Scotland. I do not believe that homosexuality is morally equivalent to heterosexual marriage." (Individual)
3.12 Conversely, other responses, especially from Health Professionals, were particularly positive about this element of the Draft Strategy and believed it should be commended for an approach which celebrates diversity.
"The positive affirmation of sexual health and the need for the broad consideration required to help achieve this is welcomed as is the holistic vision, which acknowledges diversity and underlines the universal key values of work in this field" (Social Health)
3.13 Additionally, other respondents, particularly from Equalities Groups did not feel that the Draft Strategy went far enough in relation to LGBT issues and needed more focus on reducing stigma.
3.14 "We wish nonetheless to register our overall concern that in Scotland today there remain a substantive and vocal minority of people who fundamentally oppose the visibility, inclusion and equal treatment of LGBT people in our society … We welcome the steps that have been taken to recognise this in the document and the importance of addressing it, but nonetheless feel that the strategy is inconsistent in its approach to and acknowledgement of this underlying homophobia and prejudice." (Equalities)
3.15 The five key broad actions identified in the Draft Strategy were generally welcomed with qualifications from some respondents.
"The five areas for action to help improve sexual health and well being as being the strategy in miniature are endorsed. (Social Health)
3.16 Some equality group responses indicated a concern about local leadership meaning that some minority groups may become sidelined.
"It is vital that the core competencies of this co-ordinator include an understanding of equality issues and a capacity to apply gender equality frameworks and analysis" (Equalities)
"The report's emphasis on national leadership for this Strategy is extremely important. If the strategy is to be implemented successfully, then sexual health services will require a significant injection of funds. Sexual health is often an unpopular (with the public, media and some interest groups) destination for NHS resources, and the local NHS systems must be assured that they will receive full backing from the centre for funding decisions that support sexual health services, including those for minority groups." (Medical Health)
"This is a welcome initiative, however, it will be important that gender equality considerations are mainstreamed throughout all planning and policy-making processes." (Equalities)
"Our fear is that the more local priorities, needs and strategies are formed, the easier it is for local authorities and communities to exclude the priorities and needs of minority and/or invisible sections of the community such as LGBT people […] The 'national leadership' element of the strategy should set clear national standards for services within which local areas can exercise discretion…" (Equalities)
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