Our approach to CSE
Ensuring our work is impactful, inclusive, and ethical is of critical consideration for SexSense and our members.
For this, we have developed 10 key principles:
Accessible
Child-friendly
Evidence-based
Feminist
Human-rights based
Intergenerational
Intersectional
Non-binary
Sex-positive
Trauma-informed
What we mean by Comprehensive Sexuality Education:
"Comprehensive Sexuality Education - or the many other ways this may be referred to - is the process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality.
"It aims to equip people with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that empower them to take ownership of their health, wellbeing and dignity; develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider how their choices affect their own wellbeing and that of others; and understand and ensure the protection of their rights throughout their lives.“CSE takes a positive approach to sexuality, emphasising values such as respect, inclusion, non-discrimination, equality, empathy, responsibility and reciprocity. It reinforces healthy and positive values about bodies, puberty, relationships, sex and family life.”
Adapted from UNESCO (2023)
Using clear and shared definitions is essential to ensure understanding, respect, and consistency across different contexts.
Our glossary brings together key terms used in our work, from concepts related to gender and equality to topics on health, wellbeing, and education. It is designed as a practical resource for educators, advocates, policymakers, and anyone who wants to engage with CSE in an informed and inclusive way.
Browse the glossary
Emotional well-being:
The ability to produce positive emotions, moods, thoughts, and feelings, and adapt to stressful situations.
Psychological resilience
The process and outcome of successfully adapting to challenging life experiences through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility.
Emotional abuse:
Belittling, humiliating or undermining a person’s sense of self-worth/self-esteem (e.g. constant criticism, verbal insults, name-calling, etc.).
Gender equality:
The concept that women and men, girls and boys have equal rights, conditions, treatment and opportunities for realizing their dreams and achievements at full potential.
Gender identity:
Each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth (male or female).
Gender-based violence (GBV):
Violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender (being a boy or a girl for instance), because of this person gender identity or because of the appearance, expression, hairstyle, behaviour or clothing for instance. In gender-based violence are rooted many other problems in the adult years, like domestic violence for example: GBV has different forms, in different ages.
Gender stereotypes:
Gender stereotypes are preconceived ideas whereby males and females are arbitrarily assigned characteristics and roles determined and limited by their sex.” We understand gender as being non-binary, therefore gender stereotypes are being referred to all genders.
Non-binary:
Someone who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Instead, a non-binary person may define their gender identity and experience outside of these binary terms.
Teen-dating violence:
The type of gender-based violence that occurs between young people who are, or who were once in, an intimate relationship.
Bullying:
A form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort.
Cyber bullying:
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets.
Cyber harassment:
Harassment by means of email, text (or online) messages or the internet.
(Sources: EIGE, APA, youth.gov)
Dive deeper
Our areas of expertise
Our 2023-2024 Activity Report
Our Advisory Board
Accessible
We ensure that all individuals have equal access to our services, activities and resources. We recognise that people with disabilities face unique barriers in accessing information and support, and are committed to breaking down these barriers. We do so by providing materials and services in multiple formats (such as accessible websites, audio, etc), writing in a clear and easy-to-understand language, and guaranteeing that physical spaces and online platforms are navigable for all, including those with mobility impairments.
Human-rights based
We recognise comprehensive sexuality education as a fundamental human right, not a privilege; we strive for it to be universally accessible, age-appropriate, trauma-informed and comprehensive.
Feminist
We align with a feminist lens that recognises and deconstructs the root causes of violence against all genders in patriarchal and heteronormative structures, supporting the rights of all gender identities (including non-binary and transgender subjectivities). Specifically, we support the right to express a gender identity that does not correspond to one’s sex assigned at birth.
Non-binary
We go beyond the man-woman gender binary to categorise gender identities. We are aware people can have a gender: that blends elements of being a man or a woman; that is different from either male or female; that they don't identify with any gender; or that may change over time. We don’t assume the name or pronoun a person wishes to be addressed as; we build policies, interventions and data collection by challenging gender binary spaces and approaches.
Intersectional
We understand the complexity of identity as an ever-changing and nonhierarchical process, and the simultaneous forms of oppression people face due to interconnected social categories such as race, gender, sexuality and class, among others. Adopting an intersectional approach, we consciously do not impose one-sided values to avoid perpetrating epistemological violence, and recognise the importance of alliances between minorities in the fight toward eradicating all overlapping forms of oppression.
Evidence-based
The content, methodologies and approaches to Comprehensive Sexuality Education that we promote combine the most robust, current, and available research with experiences and expertise to best meet users’ needs and maximise impact - also taking into account users’ feedback.
Intergenerational
We promote initiatives that take into account the views of, and interactions between, different generations, for the added value age appropriateness and age diversity bring to quality CSE. We encourage dialogue and build bridges between generations, breaking taboos in a safe and positive way.
Trauma-informed
It involves an approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact an individual’s neurological, biological, psychological and social development.
Child-friendly
We ensure the best interests of the child are at the center of any intervention, fostering safe, healthy and protective environments where children's voices are heard. SexSense promotes inclusiveness, gender-sensitivity, tolerance, dignity and personal empowerment of all children.
Sex-positive
We foster a positive attitude toward sex, accepting and respecting one's own sexuality as well as the sexuality, sexual preferences and consensual sexual practices of others without judgment, shame, violence, or discrimination, and treating sex as a normal, healthy part of life, rather than a taboo or something to be ashamed of.