1. Why Peer Ed? Sexual Health and Healthy Relationships by the Numbers

2. Bridgercare provides excellent, affordable, sexual and reproductive healthcare in a safe, supportive, empowering atmosphere
Bridgercare clinic staff provides the healthcare, Peer Ed helps provide the education

3. HAVEN provides safe intervention for survivors of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault, and prevents future violence from occurring
Peer Eders are a big part of this prevention!

4. Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence are Common
According to the CDC
1 in 4 women in the US will experience domestic violence in their lifetime
So Peer Eders teach the characteristics of healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships and are trained to support survivors.

5. So we tackle the topic of consent starting with kindergarteners!
Our culture likes to victim blame people who have been sexually assaulted
“No, Go, Tell” in Big Sky
So we tackle the topic of consent starting with kindergarteners!

6. Teens are having sex
Source: MT Youth Risk Behavior Survey
So we recognize the need for comprehensive sex education and services like Teen Clinic which Peer Eders refer to

7. 45% of pregnancies are unplanned (across all ages) 2015 USDA cost to raise a child: $233,610 55% of sexually active high schoolers used a condom last time they had sex <50% of sexually active high schoolers used an effective form of birth control last time they had sex (pill, IUD, Implant, shot, patch or ring)
Peer Educators provide medically accurate information about birth control options

8. Sexually Transmitted Infections are common
Source: American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)
So Peer Eders provide evidence-based education about STIs to break down myths stereotypes. And yes, you can have one without showing symptoms…

9. According to many people, the steps to putting on a condom are: 1
According to many people, the steps to putting on a condom are: 1. Open package, 2. Put on condom
Source: Crosby R, et al. Int J STD AIDS. 2008; 19:90-93.
So Peer Eders teach people how to use condoms correctly and help break down the stigma around them

10. MT law requires public schools to teach Sex Ed and HIV Education… but it isn’t required to be medically accurate, developmentally appropriate, include discussion of healthy relationships or be inclusive of LGBTQ+ communities. And it can be biased and can promote religion…
Source: Guttmacher Institute, current as of August 1, 2018

11. Additionally, schools are given very little direction. So…
The State of Montana advocates for local school district control over content
The Federal Government says, “Let the States Decide”

12. Peer Education
From HAVEN:
Developmentally appropriate
Promotes individual empowerment
Be an advocate to victims
Based on current best practices for preventing intimate partner violence
From Bridgercare:
Medically accurate
Developmentally-appropriate
Culturally-sensitive
Free of personal opinions and values
Invites participants to examine their own values
Based on current best practices for teaching sexual health
We work directly with schools to set curriculum that meets their needs and the needs of their students and families

13. According to National YRBS Data, 11% of high school students identify as LGB+, and gender identity isn’t asked
Gender is not asked about
So when possible we educate about gender, biological sex and sexual orientation…

14. 124 hours of presenting to 2,361 students!
Other Topics Taught Last Year
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
MSU Classes
Radio Shows on KGVM
Big Sky Youth Empowerment Project (BYEP)
Self-Defense Workshop
Conferences
Lobby at the MT Legislature
Informally – always!
Family roles & types of families
Boundaries/“No, Go, Tell”
Gender Roles
Puberty
The Decision to Have Sex
Anatomy
Sex Education in Schools

15. Note from a parent after a puberty workshop.