Children and young people’s sexual health and healthy relationships in Bromley

Healthwatch Bromley conducted a study, from December 2016 to February 2017, to gain a wider understanding of the young people of Bromley’s attitudes and experiences toward sexual health and healthy relationships, in the hope that it would raise awareness around the services that are available. Overall, there were 300 responses from the three parts to the study: workshops delivered in schools titled ‘Teenage Kicks’; an online survey collecting feedback and engagement; and feedback from under 25’s attending the local sexual health clinics. The workshops were 50 minutes long and were split into six sections: Society’s views on men and women, The right time, Biggest concern, Sexting, Control and Abuse, and Pornography. The online survey was available for three months and asked the young people where they would go for help or advice on contraceptives, STDs and pregnancy. Healthwatch also placed questionnaires and comment boxes in two sexual health clinics in Bromley for two weeks. The clinics were dedicated to under 25’s. Across both clinics, 55 under 25’s filled out the survey.

HW concluded that lately sexting, pornography and healthy relationships were a big focus in the media. It is important to educate young people about the repercussions of sexting, pornography and healthy relationships before they reach the age where they are likely to be sexually active. Lots of young people complimented the fact that Bromley has a dedicated sexual health clinic for under 25’s. It may be useful to have more of these specialised clinics around the borough. Although the majority of feedback uncovered from the sexual health clinics was positive, there was one young person who said she felt “judged”. The large majority of young people spoken to were also unaware of the C-Card scheme (which provides free condoms to 13 to 24 year olds).

Healthwatch Bromley provided the following recommendations:

• Healthy teenage relationships, including information, laws and consequences around sexting and pornography should be taught to all school age children.

• Specialised under 25’s sexual health service should be available borough wide.

• Young people to have a choice in who delivers their sex education.

• All staff at sexual health clinics should be trained in signposting and how to give respectful advice.

• School staff to be trained on how to deliver sessions around sensitive issues and trained on how to spot students in unhealthy relationships and offer the appropriate signposting.

• The C-Card scheme to be advertised more widely so that young people know that it is available and how to access it.