Teenagers are being
offered a chlamydia test
or sex advice from a “sex bus” parked on Bournemouth beach. The new
scheme is part of the Bournemouth Summer of Love program, which aims to
reduce the number of sexually transmitted infections and teenage
pregnancies amongst the adolescent population in the area.
Children as young as 13 are being welcomed onto the bus, where as well as being
offered chlamydia screening they will be given leaflets, gifts and shown DVDs aimed at educating them about sexual health.
However no proof of age with be required and workers have been
instructed to use their judgement to decide whether someone is old
enough to get a chlamydia test or be given advice.
The scheme was launched by Bournemouth Borough Council, who have come
up with the slogan “R U Sure Ur Really Ready?” to promote it. The head
of Youth Service at Bournemouth Council, Tim Fewell, said, “This is
very much focused on the idea of encouraging young people to delay
sexual activity until they are ready. It is also extremely important
that we are realistic. Where young people are having sexual contact we
need to ensure they know about contraception and understand the
consequences so they can make educated choices."
So far, 100 teens have come to the bus when it was taken for its first
outing last Friday and taken up the offer of chlamydia screening or
accepted leaflets.
However the scheme has come under criticism. Local parents have said
that as the beach is a popular location for families to come to, they
have been put in an awkward situation when their children asked them
what the bus was there for.
A campaign group, Family Education Trust, have also said that there is
no evidence supporting the policy of giving out free contraception to
teenagers. Their spokesperson said that “the only sure way of avoiding
sexual infection is to keep sexual intimacy within the context of a
lifelong, mutually faithful relationship with an uninfected partner.”
Norman Well’s criticism seemed at first to focus on the free
contraception being given out, but then he added, “There is not a shred
of evidence to show that ignorance of contraception is responsible for
high rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.”
While Mr. Well’s comments are certainly very disputable, further
concern was raised by the cost of the scheme, coming in at £1,5000.
However since the cost to the taxpayer of a single teenage pregnancy,
or treating infertility caused by undiagnosed chlamydia, if far higher
it could be argued this is a rather a bargain.
Article Source: http://www.info-hog.com