Workshop Overview
The Relationships, sex and consent workshop explores the many complexities of teen relationships, giving clear examples of the qualities of positive, respectful relationships, and how to recognise and respond when relationships become unhealthy and or abusive. Consent is a reoccurring theme throughout this session, and this is discussed in a variety of contexts, intimate relationships, situations of exploitation and grooming and the ways in which drugs and alcohol can impede a persons legal capacity to give consent.
The NSPCC Video ‘The story of Jay’ is used to initiate candid discussions about abusive relationships, power, coercion, control, and the law surrounding consent. The students are given information on where to go for help and advice should they ever have concerns about themselves or others.
There is a brief focus on the influence of pornography on shaping perceptions and expectations of sexual relationships.
Safe sexual practices are advised, along with information of how and where to access local sexual health services including the C-Card, emergency contraception, screening, pregnancy testing and referral pathways for termination of pregnancy. The sessions end with a condom demonstration and opportunities for the young people to ask questions.
This workshop helps pupils to;
Recognise the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship
Obtain a clear understanding of the meaning of consent and develop the skills to confidently negotiate consent within their relationships
Understand and maintain good sexual health and wellbeing
Identify where and how to seek support with relationships, sexual health and contraception
Identify, evaluate and independently access reliable sources of information, advice and support for all aspects of physical or mental health (including sexual health services)
Understand about STIs, including HIV/AIDS, how to protect themselves and others from infection and how to respond if they feel they or others are at risk
Recognise the way in which personal qualities, attitudes, skills and achievements are evaluated by others, affects confidence and self-esteem
Learn the corect use of contraception, including the condom and pill; to negotiate condom use (see also Relationships)
Recognise that certain infections can be spread through sexual activity and that barrier contraceptives offer some protection against certain STIs
recognise and reduce risk, minimise harm and employ strategies for getting help in emergency and risky situations
Understand the qualities and behaviours they should expect and exhibit in a wide variety of positive relationships
Understand the features of positive and stable relationships (including trust, mutual respect, honesty, equality) and those of unhealthy relationships (including imbalance of power, coercion, control, exploitation, abuse of any kind)
Consider different levels of intimacy and their consequences
realise that consent is freely given and that being pressurised, manipulated or coerced to agree to something is not consent; that the seeker of consent is responsible for ensuring that consent has been given and if consent is not given or is withdrawn, that decision should always be respected
develop a knowledge of contraception, including the condom and pill and to develop communication and negotiation skills necessary for contraceptive use
Be aware of the support services available should they feel, or believe others feel, they are being abused or in an unhealthy relationship and how to access them
Recognise, clarify and if necessary challenge their own core values and how their values influence their choices
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