XIII World Congress of
Sexology
Valencia Declaration on Sexual Rights
At the XIII World Congress of Sexology in Valencia,
Spain, June 1997, the following declaration was
approved. See also the
World Association for Sexology.
Valencia Declaration on Sexual
Rights
We, the participants of the XIII World Congress of
Sexology, declare that:
Sexuality is a changing and dynamic dimension of
humanity. It is constructed through the interaction
between the individual and social structures. It is
present throughout the life cycle, harmonizing
identity and creating and /or strengthening
interpersonal bonds.
Sexual pleasure, including autoeroticism, is a
source of physical, psychological, intellectual and
spiritual well-being. It is associated with a
conflict-free and anxiety-free experience of
sexuality, allowing, therefore, social and personal
development.
We hereby urge that societies create the conditions
to satisfy the needs for the full development of the
individual and respect the following SEXUAL RIGHTS:
- The right to freedom, which excludes all
forms of sexual coercion, exploitation and abuse at
any time and in all situations in life. The struggle
against violence is a social priority. All children
should be desired and loved.
- The right to autonomy,
integrity and safety of the body. This right
encompasses control and enjoyment of our own bodies,
free from torture, mutilation and violence of any
sort.
- The right to sexual equity and equality.
This refers to freedom from all forms of
discrimination, paying due respect to sexual
diversity, regardless of sex, gender, age, race,
social class, religion and sexual orientation.
- The right to sexual health, including
availability of all sufficient resources for
development of research and the necessary knowledge
of HIV/AIDS and STDs, as well as the further
development of resources for research, diagnosis and
treatment.
- The right to wide, objective and factual
information on human sexuality in order to allow
decision-making regarding sexual life.
- The right to a comprehensive sexuality
education from birth and throughout the life
cycle. All social institutions should be involved in
this process.
- The right to associate freely. This means
the possibility to marry or not, to divorce, and to
establish other types of sexual associations.
- The right to make free and responsible choices
regarding reproductive life, the number and
spacing of children and the access to means of
fertility regulation.
- The right to privacy,
which implies the capability of making autonomous
decisions about sexual life within a context of
personal and social ethics. Rational and
satisfactory experience of sexuality is a requirement
for human development.
Human sexuality is the origin of the deepest bond
between human beings and is essential to the well-being
of individuals, couples, families and society.
Therefore, the respect for sexual rights should be
promoted through all means.
SEXUAL HEALTH IS A BASIC AND
FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT.
Approved June 1997
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