SHV Box Hill Clinic
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
901 Whitehorse Road Box Hill VIC 3128
shvic.org.au
1800 013 952
Our CBD clinic has closed. All services have now been relocated to our Box Hill clinic. Learn more.
Tune in to SHV’s expert-led podcast series, designed to help parents, carers and people who work with young people talk openly and comfortably with young people about sexual health, relationships, bodies, puberty, sex, consent, pleasure, identity and more.
Search for Doing 'IT' by Sexual Health Victoria on iTunes and Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Contact us with feedback, questions and suggestions: [email protected]
In this episode we speak with Bec Martin from Evolve Education. Evolve delivers cyber safety information to school aged children and families. Bec has worked extensively as a teacher with primary-aged children to support age-appropriate Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety. Anne and Bec discuss the links between Relationships and Sexuality Education and Cybersafety to navigate the likelihood that young people find sexual content online.
In this episode we speak to author Nevo Zisin. Nevo’s new book The Pronoun Lowdown is a simple guide to the changing language around gender. Nevo makes it really clear how and why this is so important to the trans and gender diverse community.
Resources:
Find more information about Nevo Zisin and their book The Pronoun Lowdown. Minus 18 for support and information. Documentary Disclosure about trans representation in film.
In this episode, Cath from 1800MYOPTIONS talks us through the common questions people call with about sexual health. This is a fantastic service to know about and make sure the young people in your life know about too.
Visit www.1800myoptions.org.au for contact details, and information. Call 1800MYOPTIONS on 1800 696 784.
18000MYOPTIONS has answered over 14000 calls from people seeking advice and referrals about sexual and reproductive health.
Many callers want to know more about pregnancy options. In this episode, Cath tells us what people want to know when they have questions about abortion.
Visit www.1800myoptions.org.au for contact details, and information. Call 1800MYOPTIONS on 1800 696 784.
Over the next 3 episodes I will be talking to Emily and Cath who work with 1800MYOPTIONS.
1800 My Options is a free, confidential and independent phone service that provides information and pathways to sexual and reproductive health services in Victoria – such as abortion, contraception, pregnancy options and STI testing.
In this episode, Emily tells us exactly what callers want to know about contraception.
Resources:
Visit www.1800myoptions.org.au for contact details, and information. Call 1800MYOPTIONS on 1800 696 784.
In this episode we deep dive into the navigating the world of sexual consent. We discuss how effective communication skills positively impact pleasurable experiences and what that means both emotionally and legally for young people. We discuss with Sue our expert educator how consent applies to real world experiences and how it can have devastating outcomes if not clearly understood and defined. This is an episode not to miss.
Resources:
Testimonies and petition from Chanel Contos at Teach us Consent. Educate 2 Empower Publishing for picture books on bodily autonomy. Blue seat studios Consent Is Like A Cup Of Tea and other animated resources. See clip by @theroyals and Clementine Ford explaining consent. Book by Yumi Stymes & Dr Melissa Kang Welcome to Consent. ALL our educational resources are relevant to a conversation about consent go to shvic.org.au.
Here at SHV, we are frequently asked about the use of menstrual cups, so we invited Dr Sara, our resident GP, to share her insights. In this episode, we discuss the rise in popularity of menstrual cups as people seek new environmentally friendly ways to manage their periods.
Resources:
Lunette sells menstrual cups. They also have a youtube channel with short videos about menstrual cups. Diva Cups also have website and information. Also see Diva Cup smaller sizes marketed for under 18’s. See Choice article and abc daily life about menstrual cups.
In this episode we talk to triple J presenter and author Bridget Hustwaite. Bridget shares her experience of endometriosis. It can take a long time to be diagnosed with this chronic disease as it is much misunderstood. We talk about her book ‘How To Endo’ and her insta community ’Endogram’ to help take you on the journey.
In this episode, Olivia talks about her experience of being one of two mums in a proud rainbow family. She shares her experiences on starting a family, growing up, and how the marriage equality bill has impacted her family.
In this episode comedian, Simon Taylor discusses his book ‘One Night Stand’. Simon candidly shares his real-life experience of a casual sexual encounter followed by an unplanned pregnancy. We discuss relationships, sexual health, contraception and what he wishes to tell his younger self.
In this episode Professor Kath Albury draws on her research to discuss ethical considerations around young people exchanging sexual pictures. Kath discusses how online sexual behaviour, the law and adult expectations do not always match.
In this episode SHV educator Andrea talks about children seeing pornography. It is usual for young people to be curious about bodies and sex and they sometimes look to the internet to provide this information. Parents and carers often tell us that they don’t know how or when to start a conversation about pornography, even if they are worried about the potential harms of seeing it. Listen for some ideas.
In this episode Andrew from Victoria Legal Aid explains the legalities of sexting. We talk through some scenarios that young people often ask about. Understanding sexting and the law is a great way to get this conversation started at home. Note: laws vary between states. Victorian laws are explained in this episode.
In this episode Clare from Victoria Legal Aid talks through the laws about sex that young people should know. These include age of consent, laws around viewing pornography, and explanations of grooming.
In this episode, author and publisher Jayneen Sanders talks about her vision to empower young people from a young age with body safety information and protective behaviours. Her aim is to help keep children safe from abuse. Jayneen writes and publishes books and resources, which can be used by teachers, parents and carers. These can help with conversations about sometimes challenging topics like safe or unsafe secrets and body autonomy.
Often people think that Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is only for students in senior years of primary school or secondary school. However, there is a lot of information that can be taught to children even before they get to school. Expert educator Athi from Sexual Health Victoria, talks about what could be included in an RSE program in pre-school or kindergarten.
In this episode, Anne speaks with Karen Molhuysen from Sexual Health Quarters in Western Australia. SHQ is part of the Family Planning Alliance Australia, and does very similar work to SHV. Karen has some practical advice on starting a conversation about sex with the idea that sex is most often about pleasure.
In this episode, Anne talks to Dr Gemma Sharp. Gemma is a clinical psychologist and Senior Research Fellow in the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre where she leads the Body Image Research Group. Gemma discusses young people and genital self-image, the rising popularity of labiaplasty surgery and the positive impact education can have on body image.
In this episode we provide some small RSE homework tasks for each year level. SHV Schools Manager Bonnie details the skills and knowledge we would like students to have at different stages of their schooling. It is possible that due to COVID restrictions, students may miss out on planned RSE classes this year. Parents and carers who try a recommended task will be helping prepare their children for when life returns to something more like normal.
In this episode Anne speaks with criminal lawyer Katrina Marson. Katrina has done extensive international research into Relationships and Sexuality Education as a preventive strategy to reduce the incidence of sexual violence in the community. Katrina discusses the potential impact of RSE programs, barriers to success, and what models work well in other parts of the world.
In this episode SHV Medical Director Dr Kathy McNamee explains the process of abortion. This is something that students in secondary school often ask about. Young people want to know about the availability and privacy of abortion services. Kathy covers Australian laws around abortion, what might happen to someone’s body during an abortion and what support a person might need before and after an abortion.
In this episode, Anne talks with Sexual Health Victoria Dr Sara Whitburn and pharmacist David from Woodhouse Grove Pharmacy about emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy if no contraceptive protection was used, if the condom broke, or if a contraceptive pill was missed. It's yet another important part of the sexual health conversation parents and carers can have with their young people. Dr Sara talks about how emergency contraception works and David talks through the process of purchasing this at a pharmacy.
In this episode, Anne speaks to SHV's Dr Lucy Donovan, about preventing human immunodeficiency virus or HIV through the use of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP and PEP are ways of using anti-viral medication to suppress HIV and stop its spread. PrEP and PEP might be used by people of all genders. Talking about these medications is an important part of a discussion about STI and BBV risk and safer sex practices. Many parents and carers aren't aware of how they are used, so here are the basics to get the conversation started.
In this episode, Dr Suzanne Pearson from SHV talks through Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI's). Learning about STI's is part of gaining an understanding of sexual health. Suzanne talks about the effect of STI's when they are not diagnosed and the availability of treatment. Also, the importance for young people to be confident to ask for testing and being able to discuss testing status with sexual partners.
In this episode, Dr Lona Brown from Sexual Health Victoria talks about contraception. This is an important part of our secondary school sex education. Lona talks through up-to-date information about contraception, including efficacy, cost and privacy. It is important for young people to have this information, so they are able to be responsible for their own sexual health and support their sexual partners.
In this episode, SHV Chief Executive Officer, Claire Vissenga talks about pleasure. One of the most common reasons for people to choose a sexual relationship is the pursuit of pleasure. Yet discussions of pleasure are left out of curriculum and policy. Claire talks through SHV’s approach to this discussion and its importance. Enjoy!
In this episode, Natalie from SHV talks us through inclusive language and how it applies to the way we talk about relationships and sexuality. In her work as Community Engagement and Health Promotions Officer, Natalie talks with many community groups to find out what is important to them, making SHV's services more inclusive and accessible. We discuss the importance of pronouns, define some key terms and are encouraged to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that we all carry. Enjoy!
In this episode, sexual health nurse Alison everything you ever wanted to know about condoms. As Educators, we are frequently asked to talk about condoms in our classes. Upper primary school children often have questions about them. Secondary school students get a lot more information about what condoms are, what they are used for and how to use them. We also discuss how to talk to young people about what to do if sex without a condom happens. Condoms are the only type of contraception that protects against both STI’s (sexually transmissible infections) and pregnancy. This is important information for everyone to know before they have a sexual experience. Enjoy!
In this episode, we interview writer and LGBTIQ advocate Jac Tomlins. Jac has created a resource called Trans and Gender Diverse Parents Guide. In it, she records the experience of parenting as a transgender, gender diverse person or a person who is transitioning while parenting. These individual stories are published together to start building a picture of a collective experience and provide insights and advice for people within the community (LGBTIQ and more broadly). Children often have questions about what it means to be transgender and what that might mean for someone's fertility. This guide provides insight into this experience and guidance on ways to communicate this to young people. Enjoy!
In this episode, we interview Kate Bourne from the Victorian Assisted Reproduction Treatment Authority (VARTA). VARTA is responsible for the registration of reproductive clinics, public education, donor conception registers and can connect people with a sperm or egg donor. Statistically, there is a child in every class who was conceived through some kind of Assisted Reproductive Technology. When SHV run classes in primary school about making babies we talk about IVF and other types of Assisted Reproductive Technology. We think it is important that all types of conception are included. Kate discusses the role of VARTA, provides guidance about what to say to children about alternative methods of conception, and when to have those conversations. Enjoy!
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