Sex clinic gives condoms out to 13-year-olds
Last updated 12:18, Tuesday, 08 July 2008
A new sexual health clinic in Carlisle is handing out condoms and other contraceptives to teenagers as young as 13.
The clinic, at Connexions Cumbria in Lowther Street, opened last Monday.
It provides a “full contraceptive service” including condoms, the pill, Depo injections and implants.
The clinic is run by Cumbria Primary Care Trust and is the first of its kind in the county. Others could follow.
Jane Muller, associate director of public health, defended the move to provide contraception to youngsters under 16, the age of consent.
She said: “We work within guidelines to ensure all services that offer sexual-health support and advice meet criteria to protect young people.
“This service is not about giving out contraception.
“It is the whole package of support and discussion about relationships and necessary and appropriate prescribing. Parents are also involved where possible.”
Other services include emergency contraception, coil fitting, pregnancy tests and tests for the sexually-transmitted disease chlamydia.
The clinic is open 3 to 5pm on Mondays and Thursdays, 2pm to 4pm Wednesdays, and 12.30pm to 2.30pm Saturdays.
It expects to deal with between 10 and 12 inquiries each day.
Health chiefs see it as part of a strategy to cut unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
Cumbria’s teenage abortion rate is now almost one a day.
Connexions Cumbria is hosting the clinic as part of its remit to offer a one-stop advice service for teenagers. It also runs a weekly group for gay and lesbian youngsters.
This aims to provide a “safe, friendly, non-judgmental environment”, social activities, health and legal advice, and “support with coming out”.
i agree with SK. it is completely wrong and ILLEGAL for children to be having sex. They should be reminded of this fact and cautioned that what they are doing is against the law. The clinic is actually assisting them to have sex and saying "go ahead and do it". ridiculous! and a sad indictment of this increasingly morally bankrupt country.
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well done connexions!
teenagers wont stop having sex just because they're NOT given contraception, so this is perfect for teenagers who don't know where to go. it is exactly the thing that they need to prevent pregnancies.
Posted by Anon on 23 December 2008 kl. 21:26