AUSTRALIA 
Sex advice on offer for pilgrims
Friday, 11 July, 2008
A sexual health group is offering advice to World Youth Day pilgrims via the telephone and texting service (Getty Images)
The nation's peak sexual health group will provide all World Youth Day pilgrims with access to free condoms and sexual health advice.
Marie Stopes International will distribute condoms to all registered youth on request, despite not being agreed to by the events organisers.
IN-DEPTH: WYD minisite
YOUR SAY: Who should pay for WYD?
VIDEO: Protests hit Sydney
Organisation spokeswoman Jill Michelson says not providing condoms advocated unprotected sex.
"The simple fact is that many young people, including Catholics, have sex," she said in a statement.
"When young people get together to celebrate and the euphoria is high, sexual activity can occur.
"To not provide access to condoms...is simply encouraging unprotected sex, sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy."
The condoms will be distributed at Marie Stopes International centres in NSW.
The organisation has also set up a 24-hour sexual health hotline, pilgrims can text sexinfo to 19SEXTXT (19 739 898) for assistance.
Source: AAP
Marie Stopes International will distribute condoms to all registered youth on request, despite not being agreed to by the events organisers.
IN-DEPTH: WYD minisite
YOUR SAY: Who should pay for WYD?
VIDEO: Protests hit Sydney
Organisation spokeswoman Jill Michelson says not providing condoms advocated unprotected sex.
"The simple fact is that many young people, including Catholics, have sex," she said in a statement.
"When young people get together to celebrate and the euphoria is high, sexual activity can occur.
"To not provide access to condoms...is simply encouraging unprotected sex, sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy."
The condoms will be distributed at Marie Stopes International centres in NSW.
The organisation has also set up a 24-hour sexual health hotline, pilgrims can text sexinfo to 19SEXTXT (19 739 898) for assistance.
Source: AAP
