200 CHILDREN A MONTH DIAGNOSED WITH STIs

Almost 200 children a month are diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), new research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed. From 2002-2006, 11,256 children under-16 were diagnosed with either gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes or genital warts. Detection of chlamydia cases in the under-16s has risen by almost 20% in the past four years.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: “These are disturbing figures but we cannot close our eyes to the reality of life for some of our children. Ignoring it is simply not an option. If they are having sex at such a young age they must be informed about the risks involved and about the safe framework of a relationship.The Government is guilty of criminal neglect in slashing public health budgets over the years. This short sightedness is putting a whole generation at risk of a sexual health crisis.”