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SHAG fortnight begins
SHAG
Students at the University of Bath will be greeted by giant dancing condoms to signify the start of Sexual Health Awareness & Guidance 2007 (SHAG, 26 November-7 December) which coincides with the international World AIDS Day on 1 December.
The Students’ Union advice centre (AWARE) will run a variety of different events over the next two weeks to raise the awareness of different aspects of sexual health to all students at Bath, making it as interactive as possible to highlight the key messages.
Events include students dressed up as condoms dancing on the main parade to the sounds of the student radio station, Sexually Transmitted Infections Lucky Dips, where students will be able to pick out ping pong balls with an STI on, they will then be given an information card with symptoms and information on where they can go and get tested.
The Union has also linked with sexual health and family planning organisations, such as Marie Stopes and The Terrence Higgins Trust, who will be on hand to talk to students and give out key information and free contraception, as well as interacting with students to listen to any concerns students may have.
Chlamydia screening testing kits will also be given free to students by the NHS National Chlamydia Screening Programme along with advice on practising safe sex. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK affecting both sexes and its importance to the student population is increasingly significant. Red ribbons to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS will be on sale during the first week to raise money for associated charities.
The highlight of the SHAG fortnight will see the Students’ Union nightclub, Elements, on Friday the 7 December transform into a themed ‘Saints & Sinners’ party, promotional activities will include: ‘Test your SHAG knowledge:’ (Questions about sexual health and safe sex), free condoms, and a reappearance of the dancing condoms with the chance for students to have a photo taken with them, for an unforgettable memento of the fortnight.
In addition to the themed event, every student who purchases a ticket will receive a free copy of our SHAG Mag. This is the first magazine of its kind produced by the Students’ Union which contains features on STIs, contraception, true stories of sexual encounters and the lessons learnt, and general sexual health advice in an informative but amusing way. Its aim is to help students make better informed decisions.
Eddie Bell, Vice-President of Welfare & Campaigns in the Students’ Union, said: “Students will have sex, we want to make sure they have the information they need to be safe without putting them to sleep in the process.”
