Joint statement from FPA and Brook on STI data released on 30 May 2012

In a joint statement reacting to the Sexually Transmitted Infection data for 2011 released on 30 May 2012 from the Health Protection Agency, the sexual health charities FPA and Brook said:

“This is a worrying reverse trend. It demonstrates exactly why safer sex messages and campaigns that young people and gay men will listen to and take action on are absolutely necessary. Testing and treatment services are vital, but alone they are not enough to change people’s behaviour.

“The impact of the government’s disinvestment in campaigning around safer sex and sexual health reflects in today’s statistics. Yet again we see more data illustrating why there is an urgent need for statutory sex and relationships education in schools alongside sustained investment in sexual health services.”

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For media enquiries please contact:

Rebecca Findlay, FPA: 020 7608 5265 or email rebeccaf@fpa.org.uk. Mobile 07958 921060.

Natalie Collyer, Brook: 020 7284 6062 or email press@brook.org.uk

Notes to editors

Brook

Brook is the UK’s leading provider of sexual health services and advice for young people under 25. The charity has over 45 years of experience working with young people and currently has services in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey. Brook services provide free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and outreach and education work, reaching over 300,000 young people every year.
www.brook.org.uk
Ask Brook helpline 0808 802 1234.

FPA

The sexual health charity FPA provides straightforward information, advice and support to all people across the UK on all aspects of sexual health, sex and relationships. FPA educates, informs and supports people through our work in the community, our helpline and information service, our counselling service, our training and publications and our public awareness campaigns.
www.fpa.org.uk
FPA helpline 0845 122 8690.