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CARE for Scotland believes that what is being proposed will result in a restriction of civil liberties and an attack on freedom of speech and belief.
Don’t miss out on your right to make your views known!
There are a number of ways by which you can make a response:
1. Use CARE for Scotland’s comprehensive advice to personalise your response using the evidence and arguments we have provided. This will take the most time, but it is what we would prefer you to do.
2. Use CARE for Scotland’s short briefing to focus on four questions which deal with the implications there will be on civil liberties.
3. Go to the CARE for Scotland web site, complete the form and submit it directly to the Scottish Government. This is by far the quickest method.
If you need any additional help or advice, please feel free to contact the CARE for Scotland office on 0141 332 7212 / cfs@care.org.uk.
CARE for Scotland has recently submitted written and oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s inquiry into teenage pregnancy. We have argued that the ideological underpinning of current sexual health policy is fundamentally flawed, causing rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to remain stubbornly high across Scotland.
Giving oral evidence this week, CARE for Scotland’s Education Officer Dr Alastair Noble, criticised the dominant approach of over-emphasising harm reduction in pursuit of an ideology of sexual liberation, at the expense of providing a clear framework of values.
Our sex and relationship education resource known as ‘evaluate…informing choice’ emphasises that teen pregnancy should not be viewed in isolation to the overall sexual health policy. The evaluate approach seeks to assist young people to value their self-worth and to make healthy choices. It encourages young people to wait until they are in a committed and long-term relationship prior to engaging in sexual intercourse and highlights the benefits of marriage.
Dr Alastair Noble advised Members of the Scottish Parliament on the Health and Sport Committee that attempts to reduce teenage pregnancy rates by relying mainly on the distribution of oral and long-acting contraceptives simply provide the ingredients for an explosion in rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The distribution of condoms, although offering protection against some STIs, is unlikely to lead to behaviour changes or to improve the self-esteem and self-worth of young people.
Although the Scottish Government’s guidance states that sex and relationship education should be based ‘within a framework of sound values and awareness of the law on sexual behaviour’, the approach by health boards in schools has largely ignored this. Marriage has also been airbrushed out of sexual health education programmes despite Government guidance emphasising the value of commitment in relationships as well as marriage1.
The responsibility for the current approach to sexual health lies squarely with the Scottish health boards and the Government’s public health section. In spite of a recent decision by Government to shift the responsibility for sexual health to local authorities, the health boards continue to determine the ideological expression of policy. This leaves little room for local authorities to exercise the freedom or discretion to adopt an alternative approach.
Gordon Macdonald, CARE for Scotland’s Parliamentary Officer, summed up the problem:
“Despite all the money the Scottish Government has poured into advancing this fundamentally flawed sexual health policy, they have failed to deliver reductions in rates of teen pregnancy and STIs. We call on the Government to consider a fundamental change in approach so that we see changing attitudes towards sexual behaviour amongst young people rather than increasing rates of pregnancy and STIs.”
Footnotes:
In written evidence submitted to the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee enquiry into teenage pregnancy, the charity CARE for Scotland argue that the ideological underpinning of current sexual health policy is fundamentally flawed, causing rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to remain stubbornly high across Scotland.
The social policy charity criticise the dominant approach of over-emphasising harm reduction, in pursuit of an ideology of sexual liberation, at the expense of providing a clear framework of values.
CARE for Scotland, which offers its own sex and relationship education resource called ‘evaluate…informing choice’, argue that teen pregnancy should not be viewed in isolation to the overall sexual health policy. The evaluate approach seeks to assist young people to value their self-worth and to make healthy choices. It encourages young people to wait until they are in a committed and long-term relationship prior to engaging in sexual intercourse and highlights the benefits of marriage.
CARE for Scotland advise MSPs that attempts to reduce teenage pregnancy rates by relying mainly on the distribution of oral and long-acting contraceptives simply provide the ingredients for an explosion in rates of STIs. The distribution of condoms, although offering protection against some STIs, is unlikely to lead to behaviour changes or to improve the self-esteem and self-worth of young people.
Although the Scottish Government’s guidance states that sex and relationship education should be based ‘within a framework of sound values and awareness of the law on sexual behaviour’, the approach by health boards in schools has largely ignored this. Marriage has also been airbrushed out of sexual health education programmes despite Government guidance emphasising the value of commitment in relationships as well as marriage1.
The responsibility for the current approach to sexual health lies squarely with the Scottish health boards and the Government’s public health section. In spite of a recent decision by Government to shift the responsibility for sexual health to local authorities, the health boards continue to determine the ideological expression of policy, leaving little room for local authorities to exercise the freedom or discretion to adopt an alternative approach.
Gordon Macdonald, CARE for Scotland’s Parliamentary Officer, said:
“Despite all the money the Scottish Government has poured into advancing this fundamentally flawed sexual health policy, they have failed to deliver reductions in rates of teen pregnancy and STIs. We call on the Government to consider a fundamental change in approach so that we see changing attitudes towards sexual behaviour amongst young people rather than increasing rates of pregnancy and STIs.”
Notes:
1. Scottish Executive Education Department, Circular 2/2001, Para. 7
2. CARE for Scotland’s educational consultant, Dr Alastair Noble, will be delivering oral evidence to the Health and Sport Committee on Tuesday 26th February.
3. For further information or an interview with Gordon Macdonald or Dr Alastair Noble please contact Ruth Bessant, Public Affairs Media and Communications Officer, on tel: 020 7227 4731 or 07581 153693 or email: ruth.bessant@care.org.uk
The BBC’s Newsnight Scotland programme is appealing for members of the public to join its audience for a debate on the place of religion in modern Scotland.The programme will examine the religious, ethical and moral landscape of Scotland.
With the help of its audience and panel, it will ask whether religion is purely a private matter or should faith groups play an active part in shaping public policy?
The programme will be recorded on the evening of Monday 25th February in Glasgow. You need to apply by 1pm on Wednesday 20th February. Full details here.
CARE for Scotland would encourage you to consider being part of the audience.
If you are accepted as a member of the audience, perhaps you could kindly e-mail CARE for Scotland (cfs@care.org.uk) to let us know?
The Care Not Killing Alliance spearheads the UK campaign against the introduction of assisted suicide and euthanasia.
You can keep in touch with what’s happening with CNK in Scotland and beyond through the CNK Facebook page and Twitter account.
Why not sign up to both now?
The Scottish Parliament Health Committee is concerned, rightly, about the rates of teenage pregnancy in Scotland. As a result it has launched an enquiry to gather the views of Scottish people about the issue.
Anyone can respond to the enquiry – and most parents will almost certainly have views on the issue.
It would be especially appropriate for those working in education, social work or health to respond to the enquiry, based on their working experience.
This is a helpful opportunity for Christians with particular knowledge of this issue to present positive ideas which might lead to a change in public policy in this area.
You can find out about the enquiry here.
An article with helpful background information can be found here.
Closing date for responding to the enquiry is Thursday 7th February.
Another Consultation on Marriage!The Scottish Government has just embarked on yet another consultation on marriage re-definition. This time it’s on how their plans to re-define marriage will actually be implemented. Some of their proposals could have severe implications for freedom of speech, not least for Christians.
We will be sending you advice soon on how you can represent your views on this consultation.
Please look out for a postal mailing from CARE for Scotland over the next few weeks on this vital issue.
In anticipation of Margo MacDonald MSP launching another attempt early in 2013 to legalise assisted suicide,we need your help.
We need to know what are the views of all 129 MSPs on assisted suicide being legalised in Scotland. We still have some gaps in our knowledge of MSP’s views.
Will you please write to your MSPs (1 from your local constituency and 7 from the region in which you live) asking them how they might vote if Margo’s bill were to be presented to the Scottish Parliament?
Then forward their replies to CARE for Scotland at cfs@care.org.uk.
You can find out who are your 8 MSPs, and their contact details, by entering your post code in a page on the Scottish Parliament website.
There is a new, improved CARE for Scotland Facebook page.
Share your views and opinions with others by becoming a friend. Join the 230 people who have already signed up.
…to let Rhoda Grant MSP know that you support her aim to reduce human trafficking and prostitution in Scotland.
CARE for Scotland is in full support of Rhoda Grant’s proposed bill in the Scottish Parliament which would reduce demand for prostitution by criminalising the purchase of sex.
We know that organisations which advocate prostitution are actively lobbying MSPs against Rhoda Grant’s proposals. Please ensure that Rhoda Grant gets the support she deserves by responding to her consultation, which closes next Friday, 14th December.
Full background and advice on how to respond are available in a CARE for Scotland briefing.
After you have read the briefing, we suggest you respond to the consultation through the Abolition Scotland web site.
Read more about trafficking and prostitution.
In anticipation of Margo MacDonald MSP launching another attempt early in 2013 to legalise assisted suicide,we need your help.
We need to know what are the views of all 129 MSPs on assisted suicide being legalised in Scotland.
Will you please write to your MSPs (1 from your local constituency and 7 from the region in which you live) asking them how they might vote if Margo’s bill were to be presented to the Scottish Parliament?
Then forward their replies to CARE for Scotland at cfs@care.org.uk.
You can find out who are your 8 MSPs, and their contact details, by entering your post code in a page on the Scottish Parliament web site.
There is a new, improved CARE for Scotland Facebook page.
Share your views and opinions with others by becoming a friend. Join the 182 people who have already signed up as friends.
CARE for Scotland is in full support of Rhoda Grant MSP’s proposed bill in the Scottish Parliament which would reduce demand for prostitution by criminalising the purchase of sex.
Prostitution is often linked to the practice of trafficking women across international boundaries. In other countries where similar laws to restrict prostitution have been introduced the number of trafficked women has dropped substantially.
If you are concerned about trafficking and prostitution please consider responding to the consultation on Rhoda Grant’s bill, which runs until 14th December.
If you know of anyone – for example a social worker or policeman – who might have special knowledge of this issue, please forward this e-mail on to them.
Full background and advice are available in a CARE for Scotland briefing.
Read more about trafficking and prostitution.
‘Nefarious, Merchant of Souls’ is a hard-hitting film documentary that exposes the disturbing trends in modern sex slavery and trafficking.
Viewings are currently being arranged around Scotland. Please consider whether you could arrange a viewing of Nefarious in your church or local area.
Find out if there is a screening of Nefarious near you by going to the Abolition Scotland web site.
Read the autumn 2012 edition of ‘Challenge’, the CARE for Scotland newsletter here.
Action of Churches Together in Scotland is running a training day for local church activists on the churches’ strategy against human trafficking.
Saturday, November 17, Edinburgh.
Please book now to be assured of a place.
The Scottish Government has been consulting on its proposed Children and Young People’s Bill. This Bill will incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish law. The Scottish Government plans to place a requirement on public bodies to promote child rights and to report on how they are seeking to do so. The consultation proposes also to give the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People the power to undertake investigations into individual cases where it is alleged that a child or young person’s rights have been infringed.
CARE for Scotland responded to the consultation by emphasising that promotion of children’s rights must be balanced with respect for the rights of parents. We pointed out that parental rights and responsibilities are recognised in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and argued that Scottish public bodies should not see child rights in isolation from the context of the wider family. We emphasised that an environment where children are brought up by loving married parents is the best means to ensure that the rights of children are respected.
Prayer: Please pray that the Scottish Government will recognise the importance of marriage for children’s development. Pray that the Scottish Government will be willing to implement an active programme to support marriage within the policy areas which are devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
You have the chance to meet First Minister Alex Salmond and his colleagues at two public meetings coming up soon.
The meetings are at Renfrew on Thursday 23rd August and in Orkney on Wednesday 29th August.
These will be ideal opportunities to ask questions about Government policy. In particular you may care to ask why the SNP Government is proceeding with the redefinition of marriage despite the fact their consultation showed the majority of respondents wanted to retain marriage as it is.
You need to pre-register to attend these meetings – click here to register online.
Please note that the closing date for registering for the Renfrew meeting is tomorrow, Friday 17th August.
If you need any more information, please contact the CARE for Scotland office – cfs@care.org.uk / 0141 332 7212.
CARE is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (No 3481417) Registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No: 1066963) and in Scotland (SC038911) Registered office: 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF. CARE has no involvement with CARE International
