Protesters clash over sex education

Scotland has a high rate of underage pregnancies

Students have shown their support for a controversial campaign to encourage sex education in schools.

The pupils backed Scottish Health Minister Susan Deacon's drive to give teenagers more information about contraception.

But the move came as groups opposed to the campaign took to the streets of Stirling to protest against the moves.

The rival campaigners made their views known on Saturday, after a week when Ms Deacon came under fire over the £3m Healthy Respect pilot project.

It equates any form of sex education with child abuse

Eileen Cook, pro-choice campaigner

It was launched in the Lothians on Monday, aimed at children as young as 12.

The Parent Truth Campaign reacted furiously, delivering thousands of leaflets in Ms Deacon's Musselburgh constituency accusing her of encouraging underage sex.

At Saturday's news conference in Portobello, pupils and parents told of their anger over these tactics and voiced their support for the project.

"We can make our own informed decisions with the right education, and I would fully support what Susan Deacon is trying to do," said 14-year-old Lynsey MacGregor.

Another of Ms Deacon's supporters, parent Eileen Cook, condemned the leaflets.

Child abuse

"Basically it equates any form of sex education with child abuse," she said.

"It is saying that the sort of services that are offered to young people by Lothian education, Brook Advisory and the Family Planning Association are basically encouraging paedophilia and child abuse.

"I find that absolutely shocking and it makes me very angry."

However, in Stirling about a dozen members of the fundamentalist Parent Truth Campaign picketed an advice centre.

Susan Deacon has defended the project

They want a total change in policy, with children taught to say no to sex.

The campaign's Michael Willis said: "Let's get the virginity is cool message across, because sexual activity at a young age is highly dangerous for children."

Ms Deacon said she was disappointed by the reaction to the campaign.

She pointed out that Scotland had one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy and sexual infection in Britain if not Europe.

"For a small group of people to spread about such wild and outrageous claims as we have seen over the last couple of days, I think is very disturbing," she said this week.

Greater respect

"I think most people want to approach this issue with the sensitivity and maturity it deserves."

The Lothian project will help young people in third and fourth year of secondary school to develop a more positive attitude to their own sexuality and encourage greater respect for their partners.

"The evidence shows that more young people are having sex and are doing so at a younger age," said Ms Deacon.

"Significantly, however, the recent annual report of the chief medical officer showed that a majority of young people wished they had waited longer before having sex.

"It is important that we foster an environment in which young people can discuss these issues safely and sensitively - both at home and in the community."