A programme designed to promote healthy relationships and positive sexual health will be delivered to some Hawke’s Bay secondary schools next week (23-27 June).
The Dunedin-based THETA (The Theatre in Health Education Trust) team will visit Flaxmere and Wairoa Colleges, Hayseed Trust and Hastings Girls’ High School (HGHS) to deliver their ‘Sexwise’ programme.
The team were in the Bay only last month, delivering their two-part message – a one hour theatre session, where all students attend, before breaking off into a number of one hour workshops.
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Population Health Advisor Michele Grigg says the ‘Sexwise’ programme nicely complements the Ministry of Social Development’s campaign, ‘Are You That Someone – Let’s Stop Sexual Violence Campaign’.
The Ministry’s campaign, unveiled last week, encourages young people to identify the signs that someone may be at risk of sexual violence, and find ways to safely step in early.
Almost one in three women, and one in 10 men in New Zealand will be victims of a sexual assault at some point in their lives.
The Ministry’s campaign is using social media to share advice and information, and encourage discussion on what constitutes sexual violence or harassment and how people can safely take action; address the norms that minimise sexual violence and encourage young people to look out for and challenge their mates and peers; and generally generate conversation on sexual violence prevention.
Similarly the THETA team talk with young people about how to stay safe, what consent means, and safe sexual practices.
“Public health nurses, general practices and sexual health staff are having these conversations with young people every day in Hawke’s Bay,” Ms Grigg says.
As part of the THETA visits students will be given one of Health Hawke’s Bay’s cellphone handouts advertising free sexual health services for youth aged 18 and under at general practices, while at HGHS they will be given a Directions Youth Health Centre flyer.
“Students will leave knowing where to go for sexual health advice and information, and with a reminder that they can talk to their school nurse,” Ms Grigg says.
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