An article by Ash about their SHAG campaign.
Sexual health matters just as much as physical and mental health because a lot of the time it interlinks into both. Sexual health is part of our physical health and sexual health is mental health. If we don’t have awareness of our bodies or what help can be provided then we may sink into a hall of shame, stigma, and uncomfortableness.
This year we are hosting a SHAG campaign so that students can have sexual confidence and see sex as exactly what it should be - fun. We will be hosting a SHAG week in November filled with fun activities and workshops, all to get you thinking about safe and fun sex.
So, what are out main goals for this campaign? We want:
· Students to have sexual confidence and for sexual health to be accessible when they need and want it.
· Students to have a positive attitude towards sex.
· Students to be educated about how to have pleasurable and safe sex, relating to STI’s and kink protection.
· To be a trans, gender non-conforming and sexuality inclusive campaign.
I may hear you ask, “why is this important” or “I have bigger things to worry about”. I understand. However, this is something so important and relevant that can make yourself and others feel better about themselves. It can make you feel empowered. It can make you feel connected and safe. Sexual health isn’t just about wearing a condom when you have sex, it is about empowerment, and societies views on sex needing to change. Sex should be fun and we should treat it in that way with no shame or stigma attached to it.
I spoke to a student recently about the last time they had an STI test done, they responded, “Oh, I have never had one. It is just a bit embarrassing”. This may have been because when many of us in higher education went to school, they were referred to as sexually transmitted diseases and we were taught to associate them with shame and taboo. They are not diseases; they are infections which is a huge difference. Referring to them as a disease is harmful and unhelpful when encouraging students to have safe sex and get checked. This is why it is important. It shouldn’t be embarrassing to have an STI test. It shouldn’t be embarrassing to buy a box of condoms. It shouldn’t be embarrassing to talk about sex, and it definitely should not be embarrassing to be sexually liberated. Prioritising your sexual health can have so many positive impacts on everything around you and how you see yourself. We want students to have the confidence to talk about sex and reach out for help when it is needed. We want students to see sex as a positive, fun activity that they can enjoy. That is why it is important.
SHAG weeks have happened across student union’s and organisations to empower individuals in their approach to sex and each group does something different each time. It is a completely unique experience to the individual organisation. Therefore, we have adapted our SHAG
week to benefit our student community and our student’s needs. We have looked at previously submitted ideas about kink and kink protection, we have seen a want for empowerment, we have seen a need for more accessible sexual health care, so we have organised activities to check these boxes.
A clear guide for the events for SHAG week will be displayed shortly. We are so excited to welcome all students to these events and are ecstatic to get this week underway!