Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I shall pick up on the Deputy's last point and state that awareness raising is overdue. Mr. Goulding spoke about the matter and I was saddened to hear his experience. We need a targeted awareness programme but we also need a broader awareness raising piece. There is a generation that knows about HIV but there is another generation that is awakening which does not necessarily know about it.

Today's presentation reminded me of another presentation here a few years ago by Comhairle na nÓg on the difficulty accessing sexual health services for young people generally, particularly for people who lived outside a city environment. Comhairle na nÓg wanted to know where one could access very basic information about sexual health services and today's presentation feeds into a wider discussion on the matter.

I was also surprised to read reports today that were published in the Irish Medical Journal. It surveyed 1,112 of 14 to 16-year olds of which approximately 5% or 58 of them had worries about sexual orientation. That number was broken down into 35 boys and 23 girls. Let us remember that these are 14 to 17 year olds. I was alarmed to read that findings of the survey which talked about higher levels of mental health difficulties, an increased prevalence of attempted suicide, physical assault, sexual assault and substance misuse. The survey is on today's Ireland and not 30 years ago when we had campaigns and awareness. It is almost 1 December 2014 but this cohort of 14 to 17 year olds still face immense challenges and there is no reason this should be the case. I would welcome the views from the delegation on how to reduce victimisation. How to do we ensure, when raising awareness, that we do not contribute or add to preconceived notions? Those of us who are aware understand what the message behind an advertisement or an awareness raising campaign. For those who are not aware a campaign can sometimes feed a preconception or notion. I am interested in hearing what the delegation has to say on the matter. As the Chairman knows, I must Chair a meeting and so must leave shortly but I shall stay as long as I can.