“By offering reliable information about dating, relationships and sexuality not only at home and at school, but also online, we support young people with the questions they have. This gives them control over their own learning, at a time that suits them and in a way that suits them,” says Luc Lauwers, a sexual education expert at Rutgers.
SEGGSY supports young people in their personal journey in the areas of dating, relationships and sexuality, in discovering who they are, what influence friends and family have in this regard, and how they deal with expectations from society. The aim is for them to be able to form healthy, safe, free and equal (sexual) relationships, both now and in the future.
Luc: “Young people of this age are experimenting extensively, but often do not receive the right guidance. They indicate that they are missing important information. SEGGSY is a good fit for the world as experienced by this specific age group. For background information, help and advice, they are referred to the website Sense.info (for all your questions about sex).”
Why SEGGSY
Young people rate sex education lessons at school an average of 5.8 out of 10. They say they mainly receive technical information about reproduction, contraception and STIs, while they particularly want to learn more about the enjoyable, personal and social aspects of sex (Just removing the taboo). Such as pleasure, peer pressure, and expressing and recognising each other’s wishes and boundaries. “These are precisely the topics that teachers and parents also find difficult to discuss with young people,” Luc explains. “While such a broad and positive approach to relationships and sexuality also improves condom and contraceptive use and helps prevent STIs and sexually transgressive behaviour.”
Parents, caregivers and teachers can use SEGGSY as a tool to prepare young people or as a supplement to sex education at home or in the classroom.
What young people find on SEGGSY
SEGGSY covers topics such as first experiences, consent, identity and falling in love. On these topics, young people can find useful tips, inspiring videos, podcasts, quizzes and other interactive content. This inspires them and helps them form their own opinions, talk to each other and make well-considered choices.
The first users of SEGGSY say they are happy about the launch of the new platform. “I noticed that in my social environment there is often a kind of standard when it comes to sex, as if everyone at school is already in a relationship or has had sex. Through SEGGSY, I discovered that this is not the case at all,” says one of the new users.
Who is behind SEGGSY
SEGGSY is ‘powered’ by Sense.info, the youth platform about sexuality run by Rutgers, Soa Aids Nederland and the GGD municipal health services. Rutgers, Soa Aids Nederland and Dance4Life are the joint initiators of SEGGSY.
With SEGGSY, these organisations want to support young people in their personal journey and provide them with the right inspiration, tips and tools to make responsible and self-aware choices, and to stand up for their own wishes and boundaries and those of others. In doing so, they are making an impact! This contributes to the missions of these organisations: creating a safe, enjoyable and healthy sexual environment for young people.