Western Sydney University has launched its inaugural SEXtember campaign, an initiative to help students navigate some of the most important conversations affecting their lives both on and off campus.
As part of the campaign, a sexual health festival was held across the University’s Kingswood, Liverpool and Parramatta South campuses this week, with a series of events and stalls focusing on healthy relationships, education, consent and respect in an inclusive and positive environment.
The events were developed through a partnership between the Western Sydney University Sexual Health Working Group and the Nepean Blue Mountains, Southwestern Sydney, and Western Sydney Local Health Districts (LHD’s).
The Working Group brings together staff from across the University and health sector partners, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to supporting student sexual health and wellbeing.
The collaboration aims to improve sexual health outcomes for university students and staff, while also strengthening population sexual health outcomes across the Local Health Districts.
A researcher in sexual education, Associate Professor George Turner said that a holistic approach to sexual health messaging is needed to improve outcomes.
“A lot of conversations around sexual health focus on ‘disease, disaster or dysfunction’ but my research has found that there is a strong need for messaging to be more inclusive and broader than just a focus on STI’s to be the rationale for this discourse,” Turner said.
“Pleasure, connection, intimacy and love are all critical aspects for students, and people in general, to enhance. University is a transformative time for students so an event like this that provides evidence-based information about sexual health and relational wellness is fundamental in supporting their health, wellbeing and quality of life.”
Members of the Working Group partnered with Western Design students to create a series of creative resources to visually communicate the important messaging in engaging and accessible ways.
Bachelor of Design student Maya Goncalves contributed to the concept, which was intentionally cheeky and bold, designed to resonate with a youth demographic.
“Sexual health awareness campaigns are often too clinical, just plain awkward, or completely out of touch with how young people actually talk about sex. SEXtember flips that narrative by using playful, relatable language to normalise safe sex practices, encourage testing, emphasise the importance of consent and respect, and demonstrate the benefits of staying ‘Hot & Healthy’,” she said.
“The campaign draws inspiration from the everyday: the cheeky banter, the late-night texts, and the way friends talk openly (or not so openly) about their sex lives. By presenting sexual health in an authentic voice and with a playful attitude, the topic of sex—and all that comes with it—is made less intimidating and more like just another part of staying confident, attractive, and in control.
“The design intention is to strip away stigma and create a campaign that is instantly engaging, shareable, and easy to spot across posters, social media, and everyday touchpoints.”
The SEXtember program will allow staff and students to learn about referral pathways to local resources and testing clinics through sexual health promotions, training and resources.
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