Sexual health - the last forty years

1984 – 1993

In the wake of legal controversy over the provision of confidential services for under 16s, teenage pregnancy rates started to rise and the number of under 16s visiting sexual health clinics dramatically fell. HIV/AIDS emerged as a major threat during the Eighties and the Government for the first time used the mainstream media to promote a safer sex message. The Government also set targets for reducing the teenage pregnancy rate.

1984  

  • Appeal Court ruling in the case of Gillick vs West Norfolk and Wisbech AHA, prohibited doctors from giving contraception to under 16s without parental consent

1985

  • Law Lords reversed the Appeal Court ruling and restored the rights of under 16s to confidential medical services

1986 

  • Heterosexual transmission of HIV recognised as a major threat
  • Brook Centre opened in Burnley

1987

  • Family Law Reform Act abolished the status of illegitimacy and removed legal discrimination against children born outside marriage

1989  

  • Brook Centre opened in Milton Keynes
  • Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal visited Brook to celebrate its 25th anniversary

1991

  • Teenage pregnancy rates fell for the first time in eight years

1992

  • Brook Centre opened in Belfast amid controversy
  • Government set Health of the Nation targets to halve under 16s pregnancy rate by 2000
  • Brook Centre opened in Eccles
  • Brook’s first peer education project launched in London

1993

  • Brook Centres opened in Birkenhead, Sandwell and Cornwall