Youth Educating Peers openly talking about sex and sexual health

A GROUP of 12 young people are smashing taboos and openly talking about sex and sexual health.

The Youth Educating Peers (YEP) project run by the Youth Affairs Council of WA aims to educate people about the importance of sexual health in a fun and informative way in school workshops, at festivals and other public events.

A three-hour workshop will be held tomorrow night in Leederville.

YEP Crew co-ordinator Anania Tagaro said at least 10 different nationalities were represented in the group.

“We’ve recently had several young people join our crew who are from countries where it’s taboo to speak about sex at all, especially in public,” she said.

“We are more inclusive and aware of the needs of young people from different communities, and are more culturally aware of the various norms and traditions of different communities of young people.”

YEP Crew member Darci Miller, who has a Bachelor of Preventative Health, said too many young people were making uninformed decisions.

“Young people today are having sex but not making informed decisions about their choices and their actions,” she said.

“By providing Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus (SHBBV) information to young people, they can make healthier choices, and therefore, have happier sex lives.

“It’s also important that both girls and boys are involved and understand the different contraceptive methods, and that the onus on who should be using contraception isn’t just on one person.”

What: Beyond Bloody Basics workshop

When: Thursday, September 29

Where: Foyer Oxford, 196 Oxford St, Leederville

Information: www.theyepproject.org.au or 9227 5440