Safe sex campaign to target students

A sexual health awareness campaign targeting 30,000 third level students is to be launched today.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) will promote safe sex by handing out information packs in colleges nationwide.

Launching SHAG – Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance – week, the student’s union will also highlight its National Petition which calls on the Government to implement three key measures to promote sexual health and welfare.

They include reducing VAT on condoms to 5%, down from the current 21%; extending STI (sexually transmitted infection) screening services; and having a dedicated Sexual and Reproductive Health Service clinic in each HES region.

“The aim of SHAG Week is to put students in touch with the full facts on sexual health and promote safer sex,” said USI president Colm Hamrogue.

“Anyone who is having sex can pick up an sexually transmitted infection.

“It doesn’t matter if you have sex once in a while or every night, unprotected sex puts both partners at risk. We encourage people to use condoms every time they have sex to protect themselves and their partners.”

A recent survey revealed that 58% of people in Ireland have admitted to having unprotected sex without knowing their partner’s sexual history.

The 30,000 packs contain information on safer sex, condoms and lubricant, and listings for STI clinics and Sexual and Reproductive Health Services all over the country.