Primary students given graphic sex tips
Ipswich West State School. Picture: Google Maps
by Frank Chung
21st Aug 2019 12:10 PM | Updated: 4:42 PM
WARNING: Graphic content
A QUEENSLAND primary school has provided students as young as six with a letter containing graphic descriptions of oral and anal sex.
An outraged parent of a year one student at Ipswich West State School said he and his wife were "absolutely mortified" to read the "safer sex" tips in the note that was sent home with students on Friday.
"What type of school thinks this is OK?" the father, who asked to remain anonymous, said in an email.
The health warning, signed by the principal, advises parents and carers that molluscum contagiosum has been detected in the school and includes a fact sheet from Queensland Health.
Molluscum contagiosum is a harmless infection that causes small raised spots on the skin. While it is more common among children, it can spread among adults through sexual contact - the main focus of the Queensland Health fact sheet.
Health advice sent home with students.
It contains graphic 'safer sex' tips.
'What type of school thinks this is OK?'
Under the heading "prevention", students are advised that that "should not have sex with someone who has a visible lump or sore on or near the genitals".
"Genital lumps or sores could be due to molluscum contagiosum or some other sexually transmissible infection such as herpes, genital warts or syphilis. If a sexual partner has a genital lump or ulcer, advise that person to have a sexual health check," it says.
"Practise safer sex. Always using condoms with water-based lubricant when you have vaginal or anal sex is the best way to avoid getting an STI. The water-based lubricants reduce the risk of the condom breaking. Oil-based lubricants should not be used as they weaken the condom and may cause it to break. If you are giving a man oral sex (his penis in your mouth), then he should wear a condom. It does not matter whether you are male or female, if you put your mouth in contact with your partner's anus or vulva while having sex, you should use a dental dam."
The father said he and his wife were "just glad" their son "didn't read it".
"But what type of education system/staff do we have in this state that thought it was fine (signed off by the principal) to hand primary school children a letter which describes sexual intercourse and fellatio?" he said.
"In a day and age where it is hard enough to protect our kids from unlimited/unfiltered information online its disappointing that his first exposure to such a topic almost came from his school in grade one."
Ipswich West State School and Education Queensland have been contacted for comment. Queensland Health directed inquires to the education department.
frank.chung@news.com.au
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