'School-field birth' sparks YouTube reaction
The footage, filmed on a mobile phone and using actors, is the latest weapon in the bid by Leicester City Council and the NHS to cut the number of teenage pregnancies.
Around one in 20 girls aged between 15 and 17 become pregnant each year and nearly half the city’s councils wards are deemed teenage pregnancy “hot spots.”
The film, put on YouTube, lasts 30 seconds and has been produced by the Leicester City teenage pregnancy and parenthood partnership.
It has already attracted criticism, with one comment describing it as “pretty sick” and asking: “Are they that bored in Leicester?”
The video was removed from the website.
It marks the start of a new health campaign and website (see below) aimed at young people and teenage pregnancy, sex and relationships.
Tim Rideout, chief executive of the primary care trust (PCT) NHS Leicester City, said: “We know this film is hard-hitting – but so are the numbers of under-18s getting pregnant in Leicester.
“The city’s teenage pregnancy and parenthood partnership has been successful in cutting the numbers of young girls getting pregnant, but to make a long-term difference we need more education on safe sex, delaying sex if you are not ready, and the consequences of sex.”
He added: “The campaign is based on what young people told us they wanted to know.
“Leaflets and posters are not getting their attention and those who don’t attend or have left school are missing out on sex education.
“Our aim is to raise awareness for all under-18s on issues around relationships, teenage sex and pregnancy.
“The film was created in response to young people’s feedback and we are confident it will raise awareness.”
The city council would not name the school where the video was filmed. Later this month, a docu-drama will launch on the website www.hey.babe.co.uk
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