1 Programs for adolescents and adults should be balanced, and include skills for delaying intercourse and information about contraception. Abstinence-only programs are inadequate to ensure sexual health. Everyone needs accurate information to be sexually healthy throughout their lives. Ensuring access to health clinics without threat of personal, verbal, or physical attack, as well as safeguarding confidentiality for all clients, are vital components to sexual health services. All people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, have rights that need to be respected, and responsibilities that need to be exercised.
All people have the responsibility to behave in ways that are equitable and sexually healthy.
It is unacceptable to pressure, force, or exploit another person sexually. In a pluralistic society, we must respect diverse sexual attitudes and behaviors, as long as they are based on ethics, responsibility, justice, equality, and non-violence. People have a variety of opinions and perspectives on sexuality because they come from different backgrounds and have different personal histories. However, most people agree that all sexual behaviors should reflect the principles of respect, fairness, equity, and mutual consent. People need accurate and complete information to make childbearing decisions that are appropriate for them.