It's my body: calls to ChildLine Scotland about sexual health and wellbeing

Abstract

The last decade has seen increasing efforts by central and local government to target sexual health services and initiatives at young people in order to improve their sexual health. However, for Scotland’s Sexual Health Strategy and associated initiatives to be effectively implemented, more information is needed about children and young people’s own views, concerns and experiences regarding their sexual health and well-being. This briefing reports on a research study funded by the Scottish Executive and carried out by the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) and ChildLine Scotland to explore over 14,000 calls made to the helpline in this area. Calls to ChildLine Scotland about sexual health and well-being issues, including sexual abuse, have increased steadily over the years and are the primary reason for calling in over a quarter of all calls. These calls reflect children’s own agendas, supporting an approach which treats children and young people as competent reporters on their own lives.