Keeping sex safe
When it comes to sex, Emily Brinegar said it’s not about who someone is but the choices they make. Brinegar, the prevention coordinator at Bloomington Hospital Positive Link, said that sexual health awareness is crucial for college students because one decision could generate life-long effects. Today ends Sexual Health Awareness Week on campus sponsored by the Counseling and Health Center. Counselor Rebecca Rominger said students need to know the risks involved when they choose to have sex. "[We want] to educate kids on things they might not know or haven’t heard since their sixth-grade health class," she said. Freshman Mollie Dean said Sexual Health Awareness Week is important so students can learn how to make informed decisions when it comes to sex. "If you’re not educated about something, there’s no way you can take preventative measures," Dean said. "So, in order to be safe, you have to know the consequences." On Monday, representatives from Bloomington Hospital and Planned Parenthood set up tables in the student center to help get the safe-sex message out to students. They provided informational brochures, contraceptives and even HIV testing. The Ruth Lilly Foundation also put on a workshop Wednesday about sexually transmitted infections and sexual assault. Brinegar, who was on campus Monday, said it is important to be informed so that diseases such as HIV can be prevented and so that someone can get tested if there’s any question. "It’s important to know your status," Brinegar said. Brinegar said that HIV in particular can be spread in several different ways, such as through blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. She pointed out that there are other ways outside of sexual exposure that the disease can be spread like needle sharing during drug use or tattooing. Christina Bailey, an employee of Planned Parenthood, said HIV numbers are actually increasing in Indiana. She said a lot of times people on smaller campuses or in smaller communities are not as comfortable talking about sex. That’s one reason they came to Franklin College. Rominger said, "I think that sex in general is something that people don’t openly talk about." Bailey and Brinegar both emphasized the importance of thinking ahead before getting into a sexual situation. Taking into account contraceptives and the sexual health of one’s partner are crucial issues that need to be considered. Also, communication between partners helps keep the situation safer. "It’s important to make sure that you are talking to your partner about, first of all, whether you guys do want to have sex," Rominger said. She said if two people decide to have sex, they then need to discuss protection. "A lot of times people don’t talk about it when they should." Rominger said that students should turn to the counseling center if they are experiencing any emotional conflicts due to sexual choices. Rominger, fellow counselor John Shafer and Coordinator of Student Health Services Terri Nigh, are all Red Cross trained to provide education about safe sex practices and sexually transmitted infections. "[Students] can always come to us if they have any questions," Rominger said.
