Youth service providers, clinicians, and other caring adults are so critically important to the health and well-being of our young people. Our young people need a safe environment where they can ask questions without judgment and learn how to make healthy choices for themselves. Youth workers need to be trained to provide these services to young people.

On April 27, 2009 Jane Fonda spoke at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser in New York and then wrote about it on her blog www.janefonda.com. A 15 year old girl replied with a heartfelt response. Her message speaks for thousands of young people whose voices are not heard.

Jane. I was just moved to tears when you said;

“–they need more time to talk to the clinician and learn to develop trust so they can relax and are able to ask sensitive questions can’t always begin with pelvic exam, especially if there is a chance the girl has been molested”

I’m 15. That should say enough. We need your voice. You need to get this point across to physicians, or whoever. Its VERY hard for us to just go in there and spread our legs. I’m being honest, there’s no other way to put it. We need someone like you who is wiser to this than we are right now. Someone who has been there, done that. I read that you print out these comments and read them when you have time, so I must must must must tell you from my 15 year old point of view that you are 100% right! There a They need to be trained in youth friendly services. re so many questions we have that we are too afraid to ask. There are too many problems we are having that we are too afraid to talk about. Molestation is something that a lot of girls are too embarrassed to admit to. I’m rambling and my thoughts are everywhere, but please Jane, know that what you are doing is wonderful. Teenage girls need a safe place to turn to, to feel safe and protected when it comes to talking about these things. Even if its not a complete medical question, but a question that could easily be answered by a trusted female adult. There is so much more to say on this subject from some one who is there now, but I must say, you do a great job speaking out for young girls.

Thank you!

Kelsey

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