Launch of 1996 Youth Safe Sex Campaign

17/3/96

An ill-fated pair of skydivers today helped Health Minister Kevin Prince to launch the 1996 Youth Safe Sex Campaign, Safe Sex - Talk About It.

Aimed at the 16-25 age group, the campaign will alert young people to the danger of unprotected sex.

It will urge them to talk about it rather than rush into risky behaviour like the campaign's skydivers, who each assumed the other had packed parachutes.

Mr Prince said the campaign made use of the most effective weapon against sexually transmissible diseases - information.

"By giving them information about the risks and consequences of sexually transmissible diseases we want to remind young people to be more careful about engaging in sex," he said.

"Many might just choose to say no.

"But if they choose to be sexually active, we want them to have the knowledge and the freedom to talk openly with their partners about protection against STDs."

Mr Prince said one of the most effective means of protection was the use of condoms which provided a very good barrier against disease.

"If we are to be realistic about reducing the spread of STDs, we must acknowledge a clear need to include condom information in this campaign," he said.

"We are definitely not promoting sexual activity.

"Many young people will have sexual relations and some will do so with more than one partner.

"Sexually transmissible diseases are a fact of life - and sometimes a cause of illness and death. Figures show that STDs are on the rise.

"There were 1,039 cases of gonorrhoea reported in WA in 1995 - more than in any year since 1987.

"Likewise, there has been an increase in the number of chlamydia cases up from 848 in 1994 to 1,017 in 1995.

"And young people are most at risk with nearly 80 per cent of chlamydia cases in the 15-29 age group and gonhorrea most prevalent among 20-24 year olds.

"We have a clear responsibility to work to reduce the spread of disease and the best way to do this is to give young people information and advice."

Key elements of the 1996 Youth Safe Sex campaign include:

+ a 30-second television commercial. The commercial features two sky divers who discover too late that they each assumed the other had packed the parachutes - because they didn't talk about it;

+ a program of newsprint advertising;

+ distribution of brochures and information cards. The brochures and information cards contain sample condoms and will be distributed through Perth's X-Press Magazine;

+ distribution of a fact sheet. Called 'The seX Files', (seX Files) the fact sheet is targeted at tertiary students and includes relevant, dramatic facts about STDs as well as contact phone numbers for services;

+ 1-800 phone line. The phone line will operate from today and will offer the caller a recorded message with a number-activated menu for information on access to testing services and treatment counselling. The number is 1-800 626 669; and -

+ Safe Sex Talk About It Competition. A competition to come up with the best safe sex conversation starter will run in X-Press Magazine over three editions. Best entries will be published each week and will receive a small cash prize with the grand prize of a trip for two to Pemberton for two winners.

Mr Prince said the information made available through the campaign would help correct distorted messages young people received about sex from the mass media.

"Starting from childhood, young people are bombarded with none-too-wholesome information about sex on prime time television, on radio, in books, magazines and through forces quite beyond our control," he said.

"The 1996 Youth Safe Sex Campaign gives young people credit for being able to act responsibly, while exercising their freedom of choice.

"It lets them know the community values them enough to give them the means to look after themselves."

The campaign will run for three weeks from today.

Media contact: Stacey Molloy 366 0300 or 222 9595