Concerns

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) empowers children to protect themselves from sexual predators.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) helps students recognize, prevent and stop abuse by teaching them refusal skills, bodily autonomy and bystander training.

Youth are less likely to be abused or engage in unwanted contact when they know that their bodies are their own and their sexual development is normal and not a source of shame.

Teaching children "Stranger Danger" is not enough. 93 percent child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child or child’s family knows. Of those molesting a child under six, 48.6 percent were family members. Family members also accounted for 24.3 percent of those abusing children 12 to 17 years. Only 7.0 percent of sexual assaults against children under 18 were perpetrated by strangers.

Research done by pediatricians shows that students who have had sexual education in high school that includes refusal skills experience less sexual assault in college. Researchers recommend that this education be taught before age 18 to protect youth from assault.

One of the main goals of all CSHE is to prevent sexual abuse. It teaches elementary students about healthy relationships and respecting bodily autonomy. The concepts of affirmative consent and bystander training are introduced, with the goal of helping students prevent unwanted physical touch, bullying and harassment.

CSHE does not include talking about sex acts with children K-3, only social emotional learning (SEL), which are skills such as manage feelings, set goals, and get along with others.

For older elementary students, CSHE would include an explanation of human reproduction and puberty. It also includes teaching about healthy relationships that respect bodily autonomy and emotional well-being. The concepts of affirmative consent and bystander training are introduced, with the goal of helping students prevent unwanted physical touch, bullying and harassment.

It is critical to note that evidence shows that students who received comprehensive sexual health education are NOT more likely to become sexually active, to increase sexual activity, or to experience negative sexual health outcomes.

CSHE does not include talking about sex acts with children K-3. The focus is on teaching communications skills that help children develop healthy relationships and safe boundaries.

For older elementary students, it would include an explanation of human reproduction and puberty. It also includes teaching about healthy relationships that respect bodily autonomy and emotional well-being. The concepts of affirmative consent and bystander training are introduced, with the goal of helping students prevent unwanted physical touch, bullying and harassment.

In grades 6-12, effective education must include some direct, age appropriate discussions of sexual behaviors and their potential consequences. These discussions give students the information and tools they need to make healthy choices, including abstaining from sex. These discussion do not glamorize sex.

For teens, CSHE teaches students that any physical touch or sexual activity requires affirmative consent. It teaches students to know their rights, how to set boundaries, and to respect the rights of others.

Almost half of teens have had sexual intercourse by age 18 (CDC - National Health Statistics Reports). If we don’t provide teens with knowledge of how to prevent pregnancy and STDs, that leaves many teens unprepared to take care of their own health.

"Consent" refers to a clear affirmative YES, not just the absence of NO. The focus is on protecting bodily autonomy and drawing healthy boundaries. This builds protection against physical and sexual abuse.

In grades K-3, CSHE focuses on social emotional learning. That means teaching communications skills that help children develop healthy relationships and safe boundaries. No sexuality content or curriculum is required for these grades.

In grades 4-5, CSHE focuses on helping children develop healthy relationships that respect bodily autonomy and emotional well-being. The concepts of affirmative consent and bystander training are introduced, with the goal of helping students prevent unwanted physical touch, bullying and harassment.

In grades 6-12 , CSHE teaches students that any physical touch or sexual activity requires affirmative consent. It teaches students to know their rights, how to set boundaries, and to respect the rights of others.

CSHE aims to reduce the risk of harm to youth, including for teens who choose to be sexually active. Sex between minors does happen, regardless of whether we talk to youth about it. Teaching affirmative consent reduces the risk that youth will engage in non-consensual activity and prevents abuse and rape.

ALL unprotected sexual activity may put someone at risk of contracting STIs.

Many youth incorrectly believe that unprotected anal and oral sex are safe behaviors because they do not result in pregnancy. CSHE explains the risks associated with oral and anal sex.

All youth need to be educated about how to decrease their risk of sexually transmitted infections, either by choosing not to engage in these behaviors, or by choosing safer sex strategies like using condoms.

Abstinence is clearly stressed as the only 100% effective method to prevent pregnancy and transmission of STDs in the 2007 Guidelines for Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) does not encourage or promote sexual activity of any kind, regardless of sexual orientation.

CSHE acknowledges the reality that some students are LGBTQ, and it affirms that students of all sexual orientations deserve safe, healthy relationships. CSHE gives all students the information and skills they need to avoid unintended pregnancies and STIs if they choose to be sexually active.

State law mandates that Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) be inclusive of diverse sexual orientations, in accordance with federal and state civil rights laws. This gives youth identifying as LGBTQ the same health and safety protections as their straight and cisgender peers.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) affirms that there are parts of the human body that provide pleasure; something most youth are already aware of. There is no promotion of sexual activity between youth, and the lessons do not instruct students on how to achieve sexual pleasure; rather, the potential risks of such activity are discussed.

Teens know that sexual pleasure is a factor in many people’s decision making around sex. It’s important to acknowledge this reality because it can help teens feel better prepared to understand and navigate pressures to have sex. That helps teens feel more empowered to set boundaries and use refusal skills when they experience peer pressure or pressure from someone they’re dating.

Information about masturbation is neither mandated nor referenced in Senate Bill 5395, K-12 Health & PE Standards, the 2005 Guidelines, or the OSPI outcomes for comprehensive sexual health education.

In some curricula, mutual masturbation may be mentioned with teens as a harm reduction strategy, as it is a form of sexual activity with lower risk of infection and does not increase risk of pregnancy.

Per the WA State Guidelines, 2005, Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) must "provide accurate information about the effectiveness and safety of all FDA- approved contraceptive methods in preventing pregnancy." That includes providing information about condoms.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) teaches teens the proper steps for using a condom, as the main reason for condom failure is user error. For teens who are sexually active, understanding how condoms work and how to use them increases the likelihood that they will be used properly and thus, effectively.

Abstinence is clearly stressed as the only 100% effective method to prevent pregnancy and transmission of STDs in the 2007 Guidelines for Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention.

From WA State guidelines for CSE (2005), all approved curricula must "stress that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid pregnancy and to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV."

Curricula promote abstinence as a legitimate and common choice among teens and adults, and provide education on skills for maintaining abstinence - like boundary setting, communication skills and refusal skills.

Research demonstrates that abstinence-only approach is ineffective. Since 1998, over $50 million in federal funds have been spent to teach abstinence only education. Research on those programs has shown that they had no effect on abstinence rates, and did not produce better health outcomes for teens who chose to be sexually active.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) includes abstinence education, but does not take not an abstinence-only approach. Research clearly shows that CHSE is the only method that is effective at reducing rates of pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted infection. CHSE is also shown to lower the numbers of sexual partners and a lower the frequency of sex among sexually active teens.

The legislation requires that medically and scientifically accurate information be taught in Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE). This includes acknowledging that some people identify as transgender.

Being inclusive of transgender students is important for their health and safety - and is required by law. Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) is required to be inclusive for all protected classes per RCW 49.60. Previously passed state law mandates fair treatment for youth identifying as transgender.

Many curricula that meet state guidelines acknowledge that there are different gender identities, including transgender and gender nonconforming people.

All approved curricula must stress that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid pregnancy and to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV.

Youth are provided medically accurate information on abstinence and contraceptive methods, as well as condoms. This meets the WA State Guidelines that require CHSE to address the health needs of all youth, including youth who are sexually active.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) programs are shown to have a positive impact on young people’s sexual and reproductive health—and their ability to make safe and informed decisions.

Information about abortion is neither mandated nor referenced in Senate Bill 5395, K-12 Health & PE Standards or the 2005 Guidelines.

Teachers offer students medically-accurate, age appropriate education to help counter any misinformation that students may have picked up from their peers or via social media.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) means that all schools in Washington offer the same fact-based information, which can combat the spread of misinformation in youth communities.

Parents and guardians are critical partners in their children’s sexual health education. Several OSPI-reviewed comprehensive curricula include family homework assignments for every lesson to encourage and foster family-based values discussions as they pertain to sexual health.

The WA State Guidelines require teaching students to recognize their own values and show respect for people with different personal and family values.

If families feel Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) departs from their family's values, there are clear provisions for opt-out.

Evidence suggests that CSHE encourages and improves communication with parents/guardians, especially around the topics of growth and development.

Parents and guardians are critical partners in their children’s sexual health education. Several OSPI-reviewed comprehensive curricula include family homework assignments for every lesson to encourage and foster family-based values discussions as they pertain to sexual health.

If families feel Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) departs from their family's values, there are clear provisions for opt-out.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) does not change a youth’s legal rights around confidentiality or privacy.

Curricula may inform youth of their rights to independently access medical care once they have reached the age of legal medical consent. This information is also currently available from school personnel, particularly counselors, therapists and nurses.

Any websites or materials that schools share will be age-appropriate and will offer medically-accurate and objective information.

Harmful websites and materials abound. Getting medically and scientifically accurate and objective information and vetted resources helps students to avoid seeking information from entities who seek to exploit them.

From the WA State Guidelines, 2005, Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) must both, "Use information and materials that are medically and scientifically accurate and objective," and "identify resources to address individual needs, for present and future concerns and questions."

Support for Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) is widespread. Polls over the past 20 years show that parents overwhelmingly support CSHE.

In a 2014 survey, 93 percent of both Republican and Democrat parents place high importance on sexual health education in middle and high school, with 89 percent supporting comprehensive education.

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) supports evidence-based sexual health education that is accessible to all students, as part of a comprehensive school health education program.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlights the importance of children and adolescents learning age-appropriate sexual health education to help youth develop a safe and positive view of sexuality.