As educators, our responsibility is to prepare young people for their futures by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make informed, responsible decisions. Yet, in the realm of sex education, we face unprecedented challenges.

Across the United States, including here in Connecticut, we are witnessing a disturbing trend of attacks on sex education. Lawmakers and special interest groups continue their push to censor curricula, remove discussions about consent, and restrict access to medically accurate information.

This pushback comes at a dangerous cost. In the U.S., young people aged 15-24 account for half of all new sexually transmitted infections (STIs), highlighting a significant public health challenge. Despite this pressing need, many students lack access to essential resources for safeguarding their sexual health. Connecticut is among the states that have yet to mandate comprehensive sex education in schools and even in states where it is mandated, programs often emphasize abstinence-only approaches, despite evidence showing their ineffectiveness in reducing STI rates.

Through our education programs, our team sees firsthand that young people are seeking accurate information to answer their questions and help them make informed decisions. Sex education does just that–it provides a trusted source of information while also giving students the skills to find accurate information on their own.

Sex education is fundamentally about empowering people of all ages and locations to advocate for themselves and access medically accurate, inclusive, and age-appropriate info. Sex education is a matter of public health. Denying young people access to quality, comprehensive sex ed doesn’t deter –or delay– sexual activity; it only bars them from the tools and information they need to make informed decisions.

Let’s unite in demanding that every young person receives the education they deserve. Despite attempts to politicize the issue, the evidence is unequivocal: sex education saves lives.

It’s time to move beyond debates over whether young people should have access to this knowledge and instead focus on ensuring it’s accessible to all. And for young people looking to be involved in peer education, they can check out our STARS peer education program here.

Jessica Duggan is Manager of Education and Training at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England