Australia: Young People Want Sex Education to Go Beyond Basics: Study

Young people in New South Wales say they want sex education programs to give them guidance in handling the complexities of emotional relationships in addition to knowledge about the mechanics of sex, according to a recent study by the University of Western Sydney and the NSW Rape Crisis Center. Three of 10 females and five of 10 males reported some form of sexual activity before age 16. Nearly two-thirds reported casual sex; almost one-third of females reported being sexual assault victims. "Young people are experiencing more and more pressure to be sexually active at younger ages," said UWS Associate Professor Moira Carmody. "The lack of parental guidance and effective education at school leaves them with little support." The three-year project tracked 56 people ages 16 to 25.

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