The Sexual Health Literacy Project at College of the Redwoods intends to increase sexual literacy and wellness for College of the Redwoods students. Sexual literacy is defined as knowledge and skills necessary to promote sexual wellness and sexual rights. It involves the awareness of gender issues and sexual diversity, clarification and promotion of one’s sexual identity, ability to establish and maintain intimate relationships across the life course, and understanding the role of sexual pleasure. Secondly, sexual literacy and wellness means having the knowledge and skills to promote responsible decision-making averting unintended pregnancies, STD’s including HIV, sexual violence, sexual coercion, sexual harassment, homophobia and similar negative sexual health outcomes.

The Sexual Health Literacy Project will assess the gaps in College of the Redwoods’ student and faculty sexual knowledge and skill. The college will build capacity among College staff through a uniquely designed, comprehensive training program that will increase access to sexuality information and sexual health services for our students.

College of the Redwoods will collaborate with the National Sexuality Resource Center to develop and implement the project. A culminating campus town hall meeting will present project results and mobilize community support for future activities.  Furthermore, the Project Team will identify core elements of the project to facilitate replication/adaptation of the project at other community colleges in California and the nation. The vision is to empower individuals and communities in the promotion of sexual health and social justice.