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Workshop prepares parents for the sex talk

Boys and Girls Club to host a free workshop for parents on how to talk to children about sex.

 

According to a 2008 study by the McCreary Centre Society, 22 per cent of B.C. youth reported being sexually active, says Carmen Mutschele, a social work student at Thompson Rivers University.

Given those statistics, Mutschele is working on a practicum with Sally Errey, prevention worker at the Boys and Girls Club to host a free workshop for parents on how to talk to their children about sex.

On Saturday, April 28, she says the Boys and Girls Club will host a free community education workshop titled: “Are you a Prepared Parent? Have you had the talk yet?”

The workshop will be led by Patti Murphy a local outreach nurse and sexual health educator.

The aim of the workshop is to encourage parents to be ask-able adults and provide them with the resources required to do so, Mutschele says.

Topics covered will include:  being an ask-able parent, building healthy relationships,  what is age-appropriate discussion, negotiation, healthy decision-making, creating dialogue with teens, and current information on sexually transmitted infections (STI’s.)

The forum takes place Saturday, April 28 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in room 1254 at Thompson Rivers University on Western Avenue.

No registration is required. Refreshments will be provided.

According to the McCreary Centre Society, survey in 2008 among the 22 per cent of B.C. youth reporting to be sexually active, seven per cent had been involved in at least one pregnancy.

The pregnancy statistic rose to eight per cent among youth located in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region.

Among youth who are sexually active in B.C., most start at age 15.

“This is a great opportunity to encourage parents and care givers to learn more about the Cariboo’s high rate of STI’s, harm reduction principles and start a dialogue on where, when and how safe sex-education can happen in our community,” Mutschele says.

For more information phone Sally Errey, Prevention Worker, at 250-392-5730.