Juneau County Prosecutor Urges Schools To Drop Sex Ed
Healthy Youth Act Became Law In March
Updated: 11:30 am CDT April 7, 2010
MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin prosecutor said changes to the state's sex education laws could open up teachers to criminal charges.
READ: Juneau County Prosecutor's Letter To Schools About Sex Ed (PDF Format)Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill in February that requires schools that teach sex education to instruct students on how to use contraceptives properly. Supporters said the Healthy Youth Act will reduce teen pregnancies.But Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth has sent a letter to the county's five school districts warning them that requirement promotes sexual assault.He said it's illegal for minors to have sex and teaching the use of contraceptives encourages sexual behavior."To encourage children to have sex in any way, shape or form is egregious," Southworth said. "It's one thing to instruct students about human biology, human physiology and reproduction. It's quite another to cross that line and start teaching students on how to engage in sex for pleasure."He said teachers who know students are having sex and then teach those students the use of contraceptives could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor."It's akin to saying we need to teach kids how to make mixed drinks because some kids are going to illegally drink alcohol," Southworth said.Southworth wants the schools to drop sex education until the Legislature repeals the law. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services released a statement Tuesday disagreeing with Southworth."The law provides comprehensive, medically accurate, unbiased, and age-appropriate information, and teaches teens about the potential negative consequences of their choices. The law helps identify abuse and prevent teen pregnancy," said Seth Boffeli, spokesman for the Department of Health Services, in a statement. "Study after study has shown that abstinence-only education does not work. The Healthy Youth Act updates our standards to reflect the health risks teens face today."The Department of Health Services pointed out that parents retain the right to opt their children out of the courses and school districts can choose not to teach them.
READ: Juneau County Prosecutor's Letter To Schools About Sex Ed (PDF Format)Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill in February that requires schools that teach sex education to instruct students on how to use contraceptives properly. Supporters said the Healthy Youth Act will reduce teen pregnancies.But Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth has sent a letter to the county's five school districts warning them that requirement promotes sexual assault.He said it's illegal for minors to have sex and teaching the use of contraceptives encourages sexual behavior."To encourage children to have sex in any way, shape or form is egregious," Southworth said. "It's one thing to instruct students about human biology, human physiology and reproduction. It's quite another to cross that line and start teaching students on how to engage in sex for pleasure."He said teachers who know students are having sex and then teach those students the use of contraceptives could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor."It's akin to saying we need to teach kids how to make mixed drinks because some kids are going to illegally drink alcohol," Southworth said.Southworth wants the schools to drop sex education until the Legislature repeals the law. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services released a statement Tuesday disagreeing with Southworth."The law provides comprehensive, medically accurate, unbiased, and age-appropriate information, and teaches teens about the potential negative consequences of their choices. The law helps identify abuse and prevent teen pregnancy," said Seth Boffeli, spokesman for the Department of Health Services, in a statement. "Study after study has shown that abstinence-only education does not work. The Healthy Youth Act updates our standards to reflect the health risks teens face today."The Department of Health Services pointed out that parents retain the right to opt their children out of the courses and school districts can choose not to teach them.Copyright 2010 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
