Teenage scouts may be taken to sexual health clinics to better educate them on sex, according to new guidance issued Monday by The Scouting Association, whose world-famous motto is "Be Prepared."
The document says the advice should apply for Explorer Scouts, who are aged between 14 and 18, and adds that scout leaders can also give out condoms if they believe a youth is highly likely to begin or continue having sex without contraception.
"We must be realistic and accept that around a third of young people are sexually active before 16 and many more start relationships at 16 and 17," said Chief Scout Peter Duncan.
"Scouting touches members of every community, religious and social group in the country so adults in scouting have a duty to promote safe and responsible relationships and, as an organisation, we have the responsibility to provide sound advice about how to do that."
According to the newly-issued guidance, scout leaders should "encourage young people to resist pressure to have early sex" and also to talk to their parents or caregivers about the issue, but notes they must be "prepared to offer appropriate information" if necessary.
It adds that a visit to a sexual health clinic may "break illusions of what these services are and improve the uptake of advice."
The World Scout Movement was founded in 1907 and now counts 28 million members in 216 countries and territories.
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AFP 201002 GMT 10 08
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