Children's and young people's concerns about their 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. In order that the Sexual Health Strategy for Scotland and associated initiatives are effectively implemented, more information is needed about children and young people’s own views, concerns and experiences regarding their sexual health and well-being. To this end, a research study was funded from ChildLine Scotland (CLS), working collaboratively with academics at the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR). Calls to CLS about sexual health and well-being issues have increased steadily over the years; represent one of the top three concerns expressed by children and young people; and, including sexual abuse, are the primary reason for calling in approximately 26% of all calls. These calls, which are anonymised in the database, reflect children’s own agendas, supporting an approach which treats children and young people as competent reporters on their own lives.