New Resource Published for Teaching Relationships and Sexuality Education at Senior Cycle

The Department of Education and Science today welcomed the publication of a new resource to assist teachers in the delivery of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) at Senior Cycle.

The Talking Relationships, Understanding Sexuality Teaching (TRUST) Resource was developed in a partnership between the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Science.

Research published by the Department of Education and Science and the Crisis Pregnancy Agency in March 2007 found that one of the barriers to full implementation of RSE was the lack of adequate resource materials that acknowledged the reality of adolescents’ social experiences and the challenges they face. In particular students considered that the topics of contraception, safe sex, condom use and sexual orientation were not adequately covered.

The TRUST Resource for teachers, comprising of a DVD and lesson plans was developed in response to these research findings, and is designed to assist teachers in ensuring consistency of treatment in these important areas. The DVD includes interviews with teenagers, a drama, interviews with health professionals on contraception, sexually transmitted infections and crisis pregnancy and an interview with Clinical Psychologist, David Coleman. The lesson plans include; What we Value in Relationships, Communicating Our Boundaries, Sexual Orientation, Responsible Relationships, Fertility, Contraception, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Crisis Pregnancy.

The Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships (2006) found that over 92% of people support sex education for young people on contraception, safer sex, sexual intercourse, homosexuality and sexually transmitted infections.

Caroline Spillane, Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency said: “Improving knowledge about relationships and sex among adolescents is a key strategic priority for the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, but it is not solely the responsibility of schools to provide this; parents also need to talk to their children about relationships and sex. If we want to protect young people from unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and early sex we have to provide comprehensive sex education in advance of their sexual debut so that they can make informed, responsible decisions about their sexual and emotional health”.

Catherine Murphy, Assistant National Director of Population Health from the HSE said: “Issues around relationships and sexuality are fundamental to a person’s health and well-being. Therefore, in addition to discussions with parents, it is essential that adolescents be given the opportunity to explore this area in a safe and structured manner within the school and youth-work sectors. Key items to be addressed are the development of personal skills and attitudes in the real context of people’s lives and the provision of information on which they may make health -enhancing decisions. This new resource models a holistic consideration of the topics and is an example of what can be achieved through a partnership approach to the development of supports for young people.”

The TRUST resource pack will be provided to teachers undertaking SPHE training, and details of the next tranche of training will be issued to schools in the autumn.

The TRUST resource is also available to youth workers and others providing Relationships and Sexuality Education to teenagers. For details, please call the Crisis Pregnancy Agency 01-8146292.

For further information please contact:

Lorna Farren
Programmes and Communications Officer
Crisis Pregnancy Agency
0876289831

Gerry Mulligan
Press Officer
Health Service Executive
01-6352840 or 0872957225