Cumbria and Lancashire Action for Sexual Health (CLASH)

The Cumbria and Lancashire Sexual Health Network is run by Cumbria and Lancashire Action for Sexual Health (CLASH). The CLASH website provides easily navigated information on a wide variety of topics ranging from Sexuality, Contraception, Teenage Pregnancy to sexually transmitted infections. It pulls together local, regional and national information and provides an update on action to improve sexual health and reduce the stigma associated with HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

In 1986 the World Health Organisation defined sexual health as:  

"A state of physical, emotional, mental and social well being related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled."

In keeping with the above WHO definition, the CLASH website focuses on positive sexual health for all. It acknowledges that sexuality does not exist within a vacuum but within relationships and social structures, and it seeks to improve sexual health in a holistic way embracing a whole systems multidisciplinary approach to the planning of interventions to promote sexual health.

Useful documents

Network website: www.clashonline.co.uk
Network contact: Stephen Woods, stephen.woods@centrallancashire.nhs.uk