Dr Niranjana G’s Post

From sexting to condom use: Dutch attitudes on sexual health On World Sexual Health Day, let's look at what new numbers are telling us about sexual health and rights of Dutch people!   According to our latest Monitor Sexual Health, representing 15,000 people, the Dutch have a generally positive attitude towards sexual health and rights. A vast majority believes that consent should always be checked (94%) and that a women should be free to decide on abortion (86%). 88% says that sexuality education in schools should be mandatory.    But there are also worrisome outcomes: condom and pill use is declining, sexual violence and bullying and threats against LGBTQI+ people remain high.   What do you think is needed to promote sexual health and positive relationships? 💕 How do we best normalise conversations about consent, desires, and safety?   ✍ Share your thoughts in the comments below!  #WorldSexualHealthDay #PositiveRelationships #SexualHealth #Consent #RutgersInternational   Read more on the Monitor Sexual Health 👉🏽

A recent study published in June 2024 in Sexual Medicine and reported by the The New York Times reveals that the “orgasm gap” between men and women in heterosexual relationships remains significant, with women experiencing fewer orgasms compared to men, regardless of age. The study analyzed data from over 24,000 single Americans, showing that men reported orgasm rates between 70-85%, while women reported rates between 46-58%, and unfortunately, the gap did not close with age. At Kanna Health, we are committed to bridging the orgasm gap.  By developing a treatment for premature ejaculation, we hope to enhance sexual experience and satisfaction for both men and women, helping couples foster stronger, more fulfilling connections. The journey toward sexual equality is ongoing, and we’re proud to be part of the solution. #SexualHealth #IntimacyMatters #PrematureEjaculation #OrgasmGap

Huge thank you to Divna Haslam and Monica Madzoska for speaking with Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council yesterday on some of the recently published findings from the #ACMS study relating to rates of child maltreatment are among gender and sexuality diverse individuals. Sexual abuse was much more prevalent amongst those with diverse gender identities (51.9%) when compared to the total sample (28.5%) (this also was evident when looking at other forms of abuse). Additionally, sexual abuse prevalence for the diverse gender category (51.9%) was significantly higher than for women (37.3%) and for men (18.8%). Sexual abuse experience for sexually diverse respondents (51.9%) was also significantly higher than for participants identifying as heterosexual (20.1%). This has major implications for prevention approaches, as well as how we (in support and therapeutic services) need to ensure safe spaces. See the released in the paper below, lead by Daryl Higgins

Our latest  @Bevan Brittan LLP  Health & Care Regulatory team’s Lunchtime Education Webinar was presented by Ulele Burnham of Doughty Street Chambers. The presentation on Sexual Relations, Equality and the Court of Protection considered challenges involved in balancing the competing priorities of maximising autonomy whilst protecting vulnerable individuals in the context of sexual relations and through the prism of equality. We learned: ·     Capacity is now assessed in the context of whether a person has capacity to engage in sexual relations; ·     The “relevant information” for that capacity assessment is no longer limited to the mechanics of the act and the risks posed (such as disease and pregnancy) but also the requirement of consent from the other person, before and throughout their sexual engagement; ·     Such capacity assessments also need to consider P’s capacity “in the moment”; ·     The threshold for capacity to engage in sexual relations is low; ·     It’s not uncommon for a P to have capacity to engage in sexual relations but lack capacity to make decisions about who to have contact with and how that contact should take place; ·     Care Plans which seek to balance determining who and how P has contact with others in their best interests with supporting P’s ability to engage in sexual relations need careful thought and planning – and approval from sufficiently senior judges; ·     Practically, there can be challenges for care providers with: ·     supporting P who has capacity to engage in sexual relations to engage in such sexual relations; and ·     supporting P who lacks capacity to engage in sexual relations to prevent them from such engagement; If you missed it, you can watch the webinar here and you can subscribe for future Health & Care Regulatory Education Lunchtime Webinars here.   Our next webinar is on 5th September where Katie Phillips and Dr Sheila Fish will consider “Perplexing Presentations and Fabricated and Induced Illness in children and adults.” You can register here.    #CourtofProtection #capacity #equality #sexualrelations

April is Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month 🔹 Did you know that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime? Despite these alarming statistics, sexual assault remains vastly underreported due to fear, shame, and stigma. It's time to break this cycle of silence and shame by speaking out, sharing stories, and offering support. Research shows that comprehensive sex education can help reduce the risk of sexual violence. Yet, only 24 states mandate sex education, and even fewer require it to be medically accurate and inclusive. By educating ourselves and others about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships, we can challenge harmful attitudes and behaviors that contribute to sexual violence. Sexual violence is not just a personal issue; it's a societal problem rooted in systems of power, inequality, and oppression. Marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and those with disabilities, are disproportionately affected. To combat sexual violence effectively, we must address these root causes and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all. If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Together, let's work towards a world free from sexual violence, where all individuals can live with dignity, respect, and safety. #SAAPM #EndSexualViolence

I recently presented about pornography being a leading educator for sex education and how this plays a role in young boys identifying & reporting sexual abuse by female perpetrators. Did you know that those who are most likely influenced by the sexual scripts pornography portrays are those who lack access to sex education? I agree with Vanessa Hamilton — I think this new campaign is great, by why are we not seeing a policy come through from the government to do an overhaul on comprehensive sex education? Based on my current research with my group with Jake Barley, we need to make it clear in education solutions that young children are using pornography for academic purposes, and what is being modelled in pornography creates harmful sexual scripts. Research has shown that young people in Australia understand what consent is, but there are a wide range of factors as to how individuals will navigate consent in specific situations. I think this campaign is a great start, but if you really unpack what is being promoted in pornography with the entitlement and lack of consent during the moment, it will continue to be modelled because it is positively reinforced online. If my psychology degree taught me anything, it’s that this is a classic example of social learning theory in action. #sexeducation #sexualviolence #pornography

Today is Human Rights Day 🌍 At My Sexual Health, we celebrate the inextricable link between human rights and sexual rights. These rights are essential for living with dignity, equality, and freedom. In alignment with the World Association for Sexual Health’s (@wasworldsexualhealth) Declaration on Sexual Rights, we believe: 🔑 Everyone has the right to bodily autonomy, to make informed choices about their own body and sexuality. 🔑 Access to scientifically accurate sexual health information and care is a fundamental human right. 🔑 Everyone deserves to live free from violence, stigma, and discrimination, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual practices. 🔑 Sexuality should be celebrated as a source of pleasure, intimacy, and wellbeing. Sexual rights are human rights, and today, we recommit to: 💚 Breaking the silence and stigma around sexual health. 💚 Supporting equality and non-discrimination in all forms. 💚 Providing accessible, evidence-based sexual health services. Let’s honour Human Rights Day by standing up for sexual rights and building a future where everyone can live authentically, safely, and with pride.

To show up fully for the youth we work with, we must feel confident that we can talk with them about hard things. We need to be able to move past the justified fear of backlash, the dread of dealing with negative social attitudes, and the unease that comes with searching for answers to the questions we are asked. This is especially true when the hard thing we have to talk about with youth is comprehensive sexuality education or gender-based violence. Educators deserve access to formal training, support, and resources to provide youth, and especially 2SLGBTQIA+ youth with the comprehensive sexuality education they need and deserve as well as to strengthen youth’s practical skills to prevent and address the gender-based violence they and their peers might be experiencing. Nevertheless, educators are denied the support and resources they need to provide this life-saving education to youth. This is why, on September 23rd at 5pm EDT, we are hosting a virtual panel titled Sex Ed Saves Lives on the power of collaboration among community services regarding strengthening the capacity of educators to teach comprehensive sexuality education and to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth experiencing gender-based violence. Our Sex Ed Saves Lives panel, which includes community-based service provider organizations from various regions across Canada, will speak to the importance of collaboration with educators to deliver impactful, intersectional, inclusive, and inspiring comprehensive sexuality education to youth. The discussion will also draw upon lessons learned from CCGSD’s recent collaboration with other sectors through our Not Just the Tip Project and will showcase some of the work accomplished through collaboration to advance inclusive sex ed across the country. This virtual panel for educators, community members, and service providers will feature the following panelists: - Tonya S. Lewis (she/her),  Manager of Youth Programs at Canvas Programs - Abbey Ferguson (she/her), Executive Director and Health Promotion Coordinator of the Halifax Sexual Health Centre (HSHC) - Ceara (she/her), Educator at Planned Parenthood Ottawa (PPO) - Alejandra (she/they), Education coordinator for Planned Parenthood Regina, treaty 4. This conversation will be moderated by Janani Suthan (she/they), Comprehensive Sexuality Education Program Coordinator at CCGSD. Register now and save your spot for this virtual panel on September 23rd, 2024 at 5pm EDT: https://wkf.ms/3Zm2Zbg

I agree with you Andrea Waling a significant factor contributing to the issue of sexual violence is ‘…the sense of entitlement to others' bodies…’ I think a contributing factor to this is a glaring lack of education across all age groups regarding sexual pleasure and function, particularly for cisgender heterosexual individuals. Many children's education books and science lessons cover the body's ‘systems’ but often exclude the sexual and reproductive system. Even when they are mentioned, the focus tends to be on reproduction rather than the mechanisms of pleasure. It's important to teach young people about the physiology of sexual function, including the understanding that the brain and skin are the primary sexual organs. Mainstream pornography, which many young people are exposed to, reinforces the idea that the most important aspect of sex is the p3nis and promotes a distorted view of sex as solely about penetration, often without regard for the partner's pleasure or #consent. When compounded with gender stereotypes, patriarchal attitudes, societal shame, historical suppression of female sexual pleasure, and the absence of open and respectful discussions about relationships, it's no surprise that #sexualviolence remains prevalent. Our kids deserve better and that needs to start with improved evidence-based education and for us not to be scared of mentioning '#pleasure'.

A new report from the @NASEM Health and Medicine Division evaluates how contemporary definitions of sex and gender in medicine and current clinical guidelines impact disability determinations among transgender and gender diverse people, as well as people with variations in sex traits. Access the report: https://lnkd.in/gGJXqdN2 Boy howdy do I have experience with this. SSA and anything not in an outdated box = long, long delays. moving the needle cm by cm