Final Project Report: What would it take to optimise marginalised young people's sexual health? : A conversational journey with youth workers

for Australian Youth Affairs Coalitions Conference (2011). Good practice example re application of action research to sexual health capacity building of the West Australian Youth Sector. Youth sexual health peer education: an action research project Organisation: Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia Facilitator: Rebecca Walker The sexual and reproductive health of young people is a global issue and one that requires an integrated, holistic response. So what is the youth sector’s role in this response? When Chlamydia rates in Australia are at an all time high, along with other issues such as unwanted sex and unplanned pregnancies on the rise, what can the youth sector be doing to support young people making informed, mutually respectful choices in their sexual lives? The YEP Project is a two-year action research project that aims to increase the WA youth sector’s capacity to respond to young people’s sexual health and BBV needs. Born out of a state-wide youth consultation in 2007 (Sorenson & Brown), and founded on a strong international evidence-base for youth peer education, the YEP Project is working with six youth sector agencies to investigate the value and effectiveness of peer-based programs in terms of their ability to positively impact on protective factors for STI and BBV transmission. At the heart of the project are young people and facilitating their participation and ownership over issues that affect them, as well as creating safe, non-judgemental spaces where they can learn with their peers and develop skills both personally and as peer educators/role-models. The research will be completed and available in July 2011. This presentation will discuss the emerging critical factors for achieving success with sexual health and BBV peer-based programs, the key challenges faced, as well as the preliminary outcomes with youth workers and young people. http://www.yacwa.org.au/content.php?CID=57

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