We believe all people deserve access to sex education programs that provide reliable and accurate information.
Strong evidence shows that comprehensive sex education works. It helps young people delay sexual activity and, when they do become sexually active, build healthy, respectful, and mutually protective relationships. Research finds that these programs can lead to delayed first sexual experience, fewer sexual partners, more consistent condom and contraceptive use, and lower sexual risk-taking.
Comprehensive sex education teaches consent—how to respect others’ bodily autonomy and boundaries, and how to confidently say no to unwanted advances. It gives young people the tools to recognize, confront, and prevent sexual harassment and assault before they happen. Prevention starts with education: understanding the issues, spotting them early, and knowing how to respond.
It can also be a powerful tool for advancing racial equity. When programs are culturally relevant and address racial identity directly, they help dismantle the structural inequities that drive health disparities—ensuring all young people have the knowledge and skills to protect their health and futures.
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Planned Parenthood believes in comprehensive, honest sex education for young people as well as adults. Since 2013, Planned Parenthood North Central States' educators have:
- Trained more than 380 people in Fargo to be peer educators
- Peer educators have reported more than 10,000 conversations with their peers about sexual health
- Increased communication between teens and parents about sex
- Boosted comfort in talking about sexuality
- Expanded knowledge about sexual health
Programs offered in North Dakota include:
- Reach One Teach One (ROTO), a ten-session class that gives young people an opportunity to learn about real-life issues related to sexuality and then share their knowledge with others through peer education
- Sexual Health and Adolescent Risk Prevention (SHARP), for teens facing substance abuse; a one-time intensive 4-hour class designed to reduce risky behaviors associated with sexual decision making and chemical use
- Parents are Sexuality Educators (PASE), a class for parents who want to learn how to have comfortable, matter-of-fact conversations with their kids about sexuality
- Safe Spaces, a training for professionals who work with youth to be approachable, nonjudgmental, and reliable resources for sexual health information for the youth they serve