Teen Health
Nation’s Leading Expert on Teen Dating and Sexual Etiquette to Speak in New York January 30
By
Jan 23, 2008 - 11:26:35 AM

Nation’s Leading Expert on Teen Dating and Sexual Etiquette
to Speak in New York January 30


(HealthNewsDigest.com) - In today’s teen dating climate, the fear of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and date rape is fed constantly by advertising, concerned parents and public campaigns promoting abstinence. In the United States, 45.6 percent of high school students are sexually active,[1] but most are not getting the education and support they need to approach sexuality with understanding and respect. Mike Domitrz, a nationally acclaimed educator and activist, believes that teaching consent is the only effective approach. Teaching teens to “ask first” establishes personal standards, respects boundaries, and emphasizes the importance of having a choice. In the long run, this can greatly reducte the amount of sexual activity among teens.

Domitrz is a leading authority on teen dating, intimacy and communication, and will be in New York City on January 30th presenting his informative and entertaining program “Can I Kiss You?” to students at Hunter College. Domitrz is revered among parents, educators, and activists for his no-holds-barred approach to discussing teenage sexual behavior, and for his ability to outline realistic guidelines for dating etiquette and sexual communication. Engaging both sides of the “abstinence” debate, Domitrz instructs teens to “ask first” in the spirit of mutual respect and healthy dating behaviors. His candid advice, real-life scenarios and interactive exercises have earned him international recognition as a speaker and educator.

“My presentations challenge society's misperceptions about dating, intimacy, and sexual assault,” says Domitrz. “I emphasize the importance of communication and consent. Verbalization is extremely important in intimate encounters, but it’s difficult for teens because they’re naďve and nervous. I teach them to communicate honestly and clearly, and the foundation of that teaching is for them to ask before kissing, touching or making sexual advances.”

Domitrz’s “Can I Kiss You?” presentation is designed to teach teens that consent must be requested and obtained before any act of intimacy begins. Ultimately, with increased communication and a better understanding of consent, teen dating can become a healthier, less frustrating experience, lowering the possibility of sexual assault.

“When a sexual assault case is covered by the media, people always wonder whether or not the victim said ‘no,’” Domitrz explains. “This question places responsibility on the victim instead of focusing on the actions of the perpetrator. With the right education and focus, assault can stop before it begins simply by teaching people to ask before they act.”

Mike Domitrz is the executive director of the Date Safe Project (www.datesafeproject.org), and author of the critically acclaimed book “May I Kiss You?” In addition to speaking to student and parent groups, he also works with educators and school administrators to create educational materials aimed at teaching responsible dating and sexual communication for young people.

www.thedatesafeproject.org

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