Brook annual sexual health conference and awards

Conference – focus on sexual consent

Young people’s sexual health charity Brook will be holding its annual conference on Thursday 3 March 2010 at America Square Conference Centre, London.

The conference, Yes. No. Maybe? Young people, sex and consent, will look at the serious issues of young people and sexual consent, including research and policy in the area, the views of young people and examples of best practice.

The conference will be chaired by Professor Roger Ingham, Director of the Centre for Sexual Health Research, University of Southampton, and keynote speakers include:

• Anne Milton MP – Minister for Public Health
• Kaye Wellings – Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health, LondonSchool of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Trefor Lloyd – Director, Boys Development Project
• Simon Blake– National Director, Brook.

Brook believes young people’s understanding of consent is key to reducing sexual violence and ensuring that young people are protected from harm. It can also improve young people’s experience of sex and ensure they build healthier relationships.

Awards – celebrating success

Brook’s conference is followed in the evening by the presentation of awards to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work young people and professionals are doing to improve the lives of young people all over the UK.

Awards will be presented for the following categories:

• UK sexual health professional of the year
• UK sexual health project of the year
• Young person of the year
• Brook employee of the year
• Brook innovation of the year.

The conference and awards will bring together a whole range of professionals to debate approaches and strengthen and share knowledge and skills.

Brook’s National Director, Simon Blake, said:

“Every day at Brook we see young men and women who don’t know whether they want sex, have had sex, or have consented to sex.

“Developing young people’s understanding of sexual consent gives them the skills and knowledge to make informed, active choices about their sexual health and can protect them from exploitation and harm.

“It is essential that sexual consent remains part of the public health agenda if we are to ensure young people have the safe and healthy sex and relationships they deserve.”

Delegates for information on the conference please contact

• Ben Hicks 020 7284 6051 / ben.hicks@brook.org.uk
• Visit the conference website www.brook.org.uk/conference-and-awards