Researchers to debate the call for sexual abstinence education
in schools 29 October 2012 Introducing abstinence education into
UK schools could be a less effective substitute for
comprehensive Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) aimed at
children and young adults, say a research team led by Sheffield
Hallam University. As part of the Economic and Social Research
Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science 2012, Sheffield Hallam
and partners will host a one day event to debate the issues
surrounding abstinence education. Dr Julia Hirst, from the
Public Health Hub at Sheffield Hallam, says "We hope to bring
together politicians, teachers, youth workers, young people and
their parents to discuss the re-emergence in our society of
views promoting abstinence education in schools and youth
settings." Research shows that existing evidence fails to
support the view that teaching abstinence from sexual activity
is the only certain way to avoid unintended pregnancy, Sexually
Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV. "Exte