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Appendix I: implications and recommendations from Sexual Health and Wellbeing Learning Network seminar
Key findings from this study were presented at a Sexual Health and Wellbeing Learning Network seminar on March 23 rd 2006, at the request of the Scottish Executive. A workshop following the presentation asked professionals 1 to a) discuss the implications of the key findings as presented for policy and practise and b) make recommendations about these implications. The key themes that emerged from the workshop discussions are presented below.
Language/ terminology used by young people in discussing sexual health and wellbeing, including disclosures of abuse
- Children and young people use distinct language and terminology - including that around sexual health and wellbeing - for a variety of cultural and psycho-social reasons. Adults may feel uncomfortable around, or try to 'control' children's use of language, again for a variety of reasons.
- Adult disapproval of young people's language can create real barriers to effective communication around sexual health and wellbeing. Adults must be helped/ trained to recognise this may be the only way children have of expressing themselves.
- Approaches to learning/ communication around sexual health and wellbeing need to accept young people's terminology but at the same time teach correct terminology.
- Parent's need support in developing communication and other life skills to allow them to talk with their children about all aspects of sexual health and wellbeing, including abuse.
Peer comparison, peer exclusion, and the importance of 'being normal' to young people
- Young people's learning around difference/ respect for difference in relation to sexual health and relationships needs to form part of a wider diversity agenda, which also includes media literacy and critical skills development
- Young people's 'acceptance' of themselves and others is underpinned by their own emotional health. Learning about difference must be underpinned by work around development of self esteem etc.
- Adults, including parent's, must be supported to address their own values around sexual health and wellbeing; the respect/ diversity agenda needs to focus on adults respect for young people as well as vice versa.
- Peer education approaches in sexual health and wellbeing, as well as in life skills development, should be heavily promoted, given the extent of peer influence in shaping young people's views/ attitudes about themselves and others
Abuse/ disclosure of abuse
- Cultural taboos around discussing the realities of abuse need to be addressed
- Education about abuse is important, both in terms of early education on basics such as 'appropriate touching' as well as broader education on power in relationships, rights, personal safety etc.
- Development of a more child-orientated child protection system is vital in both protecting children from abuse and in truly serving their best interests when abuse is an issue. Key features of this system would include accessible, confidential services that move at the child's pace and do not instantly trigger formal child protection procedures; support for children throughout the disclosure process; more control for children over what happens when they do disclose abuse; honesty and clarity regarding levels of confidentiality; where children are at risk in the home, removal of the abuser rather than the child, where possible; review of the system to investigate whether criminal prosecution of abuse is in the child's best interest
- Peer support could form an essential aspect of child protection system, given the extent to which children disclose to other children. Training for peer supporters would need to be underpinned by accessible, professional support for young people who do have been confided in by friends
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