Sex ed Rights
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South Dakota state law does not require sexuality education. Local school boards decide whether or not to teach sex ed, which subjects this education must cover and the grade level in which topics are introduced.
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Teaching about contraceptives, such as condoms, the Pill, or the Patch, is not required.
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Abstinence is taught within state-mandated character education.
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HIV/AIDS and Other STDs Education
- South Dakota state law does not require STDs and HIV/AIDS education.
- Teaching about contraceptives, such as condoms, the Pill, or the Patch, is not required.
- You do not need your parents’ permission to participate in sexuality education or HIV/AIDS education classes. SD does not specify if parents can remove you from class if they object to what is being taught.
The above is from Sex,etc.
Here are some stats about rape in South Dakota:
Alaska Governor Sean Parnell told
CNN that rape and violence against women is Alaska's "epidemic." And, he's not exaggerating: The rape case per capita rate in Alaska is approximately 80 per 100,000 people. That's nearly three times the national rate of 27 per 100,000.
Falling closely behind Alaska is South Dakota, with 70 reports per 100,000 people. What's even more concerning is the number of reported cases is so high in these relatively rural states, where residents may not have access to as many resources — like rape crisis centers — as those living in urban centers.
These stats are staggering.
And, it's important to remember that this just reflects the number of reported rapes. Indeed, the majority of incidents in this country go unreported. Still, the information here is a fresh reminder that violence against women is still a huge problem in our country. (
CNN)
The issue of sexuality and consent is not addressed in South Dakota. In other parts of the world sex ed now includes the 21st century concept of Consent, except, we don’t know yet how to talk about it.
Planned Parenthood seems to have the best perspective:
“You don’t have to kiss or hug anyone you don’t want to.”
“If anyone tries to make you do anything you don’t want to do, you can tell them ‘I don’t want to do that. Let’s do something else instead.’”
“In a relationship, it’s never OK for one person to pressure the other to do anything they don’t want to do.”
“Rape and sexual assault are crimes and are never the victim’s fault. They are always the fault of the person who committed the crime.”
“Consent is how you and your partner both know that sex is OK and wanted by both of you. You always need to ask for consent if you want to have sex, and you always have the right to say yes or no to sex.”
“If you were in an unhealthy relationship, how would you break up with someone safely?”
It may be a century before the State of South Dakota addresses the issue of consent in sexuality. The folk in South Dakota don't even allow Planned Parenthood within the state borders.