Sexual Health

When teaching students about sexuality and sexual relationships, it is important to maintain a positive and respectful approach, with the lens of the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. Sexual health-related issues are wide-ranging, and include sexual orientation and gender identity, sexual expression, and relationships.

According to the World Health Organization, the ability to achieve sexual health and well-being depends on:

  • Access to comprehensive, high-quality information about sex and sexuality
  • Knowledge about the risks one may face and their vulnerability to adverse consequences of unprotected sexual activity
  • Ability to access sexual health care
  • Living in an environment that affirms and promotes sexual health 

Huron Perth Public Health offers weekly sexual health clinics. Locations, times and contact information on our sexual health clinics and STI testing is available on our website. During the school year, sexual health services are also available at some Avon Maitland District School Board secondary schools.

Elementary and Secondary

  • Beyond the Basics is a resource for educators on sexuality and sexual health. It offers tools to teach young people from a sex positive, human rights perspective. Topics range from anatomy, to consent, and health relationships. Content is written to easily move in and out of chapters, modules, and activities suited to particular ages, maturity and trust in each classroom. (NOTE: requires a one time fee for purchase.)
  • Human Development and Sexual Health Teaching Resources (grades 4-12) from Middlesex London Health Unit provide educators with strategies to promote healthy growth and development that can lead to reducing risky sexual behaviour among children and youth. 
  • Human Development and Sexual Health Teaching Tools (elementary and secondary) from Niagara Region Public Health are designed to support teachers in creating comprehensive lesson plans to cover health-related content in the classroom.
  • Sex & U and Sexual Health Ontario both provide information and advice on a variety of sexual health topics. These sites could be used in a question, search and answer exercise.
  • Sexuality and Developmental Disability: A Guide for Parents from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services provides information on the facts about sexuality and developmental disability, the parent’s role, suggestions for what parents can do and tips and strategies for talking comfortably with your child about sexuality. 
  • Teaching Sexual Health.ca is an innovative website developed by Alberta educators and health professionals. It offers up-to-date, evidence-based information and strategies for teachers and educators teaching the Alberta Education Human Sexuality curriculum and for parents of children from birth to 18 years of age.
  • The Genderbread Person [PDF] is a teaching tool for explaining gender identity, gender expression and attraction.