News Release                   For Immediate Release

September 15, 2004

8^th Annual Adolescent Sexuality Workshop:

Sexual Coercion among Adolescents

In Canada, 1 in 4 young women will be verbally or physically coerced into sexual activity. “We talk about bullying in the schools but too often we fail to address the sexual bullying that occurs. In our sexual health clinics we counsel teens who have experienced harassing behaviours - suggestive jokes, inappropriate comments about their bodies, unwanted touching, not to mention pressure to have sex,” states Stefanie Weppler, a public health nurse in the Sexual Health Program.  Such experiences have long-term consequences – lowered self-esteem, lowered school performance, as well as the risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Sexual coercion or sexual bullying among teens is the focus of the 8^th annual adolescent sexuality workshop, organized by Public Health.  This full-day workshop, designed for educators, social service providers, healthcare professionals and individuals committed to working with teens, will be held November 5, 2004 at the Inn on the Bay, Best Western, Owen Sound.

Keynote speaker Dr. Guy Grenier, a clinical psychologist, takes a practical approach to addressing teenage sexual decision-making, sexual bullying and the promotion of healthy relationships.

The registration fee is $50, which includes lunch.  The deadline to register is October 22, 2004.  For more information call Public Health at 376-9420 or visit www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca..

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For more information:

Stefanie Weppler

Public Health Nurse, Sexual Health Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

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