Positive And Protective: Putting Sexuality Education Into Prevention Of Childhood Sexual Assault Programs

The authors will discuss the research regarding childhood sexual assault prevention programs and outline strategies for implementing sexuality education into programs for children and young people. Conclusions: * Sexuality education remains a contentious and misunderstood area, often subject to sensational and inaccurate media reporting. * Many childhood sexual assault prevention programs do not provide accurate information to children and young people about body parts, sexual touch or informed consent to sexual activity. * There is a growing body of evidence that providing young children and their adult support networks with a sound understanding of healthy sexuality and appropriate sexual behaviour may be one of the means of preventing childhood sexual assault. * Comprehensive sexuality education has many lifelong benefits for children. Family Planning Queensland (FPQ) is a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services to people in Queensland. FPQ has been providing education, resources, registered training and information services to children, families, educators and other service providers for over thirty years. FPQ also coordinates the Cairns Sexual Assault Service which provides support to women, children and young people in Cairns and surrounding regions.