Sexual safety on campus: Various organizations seek to help students prepare

This complimentary bag provided by Health & Counseling services includes condoms and educational materials about the proper use of condoms. Students can present a valid I.D. to receive free condoms and information about sexual safety. Photo by Catherine ZendeBy Catherine Zende
zendec@mytjnow.com

Young people aged 15-24 years acquire nearly half of all new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), according to the Centers for Disease Control. This age group also has four times the rate for chlamydia and gsonorrhea. 

It should come as no surprise then that Winthrop’s Health & Counseling Services has planned an entire week dedicated to educating students about sexually transmitted diseases. 

Brianne Gemeinhardt, wellness coordinator for health & counseling sservices, is helping organize the week and has big goals for raising awareness.

“The overall goal is that students become more aware, more informed of services we have on campus and off campus,” Gemeinhardt said. 

Sexual Responsibility Week (November 14-16) is designed to help educate Winthrop students about sexual safety like protecting themselves from STIs and finding the right-fitting condoms. 

“My overall goal for everything I do is that they make informed decisions about their health. This week is particularly aimed towards sexual decisions,” Gemeinhardt said.

Health & Counseling Services is partnering with various on and off campus organizations. The DiGiorgio Student Union (DSU), The Gentlemen’s League, and Catawba Care are helping sponsor events about sexual issues, sexually transmitted infectionss (STIs) and even HIV testing. 

This multifaceted approach is important to Gemeinhardt because she wants to help students become comfortable with talking about sex and have fun at the same time. 

“If you think that talking about sex can be fun, that you don’t have to be bashful and that it’s important and healthy to talk about it, then that kind of hurdles that barrier,” Gemeinhardt said.

There has been a recent change regarding sexually transmitted diseases. Many practitioners have begun referring to STDs as STIs instead due to the variety of illnesses. “A lot of them you can get rid of. It’s not necessarily the end of the world,” Gemeinhardt said.

However, some STIs can have long-term effect. Students wishing to be tested for HIV have the opportunity to do so on-campus, in a private setting. 

The rapid HIV testing will take place in the DiGiorgio Campus Center in room 256, a smaller meeting room. 

According to Gemeinhardt, the rapid testing is designed to create a comfortable environment in which individuals can receive counseling and testing from Catawba Care practitioners. Students will have the option of taking a swab test or a blood test. 

Gemeinhardt encourages students to be tested because the testing is confidential and will be charged to your student account to ensure privacy. “If it’s just an inkling, come and get tested,” Geimenhardt said.

However, Sexual Responsibility Week is not the only opportunity for students to receive testing or supplies for sexual safety. Health & counseling services offers well woman exams, which includes a general wellness exam, a pap smear and a pelvic examination. 

Women interested in taking the exam are encouraged to take the well woman exam class before being treated. 

In addition, men are able to take advantage of services by participating in an examination that involves the diagnosis and treatment of genital and urological problems including sexually transmitted diseases. 

Women can also come to health & counseling services to obtain birth control and other forms of contraceptives. 

All students interested in getting condoms can present their Winthrop ID and receive a discreet brown bag with condoms and information about sexual safety.

Gemeinhardt strongly encourages preventive measures for students. 

“My job is to start on the front end and make sure your making thosegood decisions,” Gemeinhardt said. 

While Gemeinhardt believes that being proactive is best, she understands that mistakes can happen. 

She encourages all students who have questions or need to be tested to come to Crawford for discreet and private help. “We’re here for you. We’re open-minded,” Gemeinhardt said.

For more information about Health & Counseling services, visit www.winthrop.edu/hcs or visit the Crawford building.