IL HR0039

Recognizes that Illinois teens experience higher rates of forced sexual intercourse, dating violence, and physical or sexual violence compared to national averages.

Affirms that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence, with 1 in 9 female and 1 in 36 male high school students reporting sexual dating violence in the past year.

Notes that LGBTQ+ community members and approximately half of transgender people face greater rates of sexual violence, and cites high rates of sexually transmitted infections nationally and in Illinois.

Defines comprehensive sex education as curriculum meeting seven National Sexuality Education Standards topics: Anatomy and Physiology, Puberty and Adolescent Development, Identity, Pregnancy and Reproduction, Sexually Transmitted Disease and HIV, Healthy Relationships including consent education, and Personal Safety.

Declares that every student has the right to comprehensive sex education and supports schools providing it, citing evidence that comprehensive sex education reduces teen pregnancy, STD rates, and sexual risk-taking behavior while increasing contraceptive use.