Condom Vending Machines in Northeast Victoria
During 2010 CERSH approached seven local government area (LGA) councils to engage them in discussion relating to the potential installation of condom vending machines in publically accessible locations within each of the LGAs. Access to the machines after hours was particularly important for young people. The councils approached by CERSH included the City of Greater Shepparton and surrounding shires including Moira, Campaspe, Strathbogie, and the Rural Cities of Benella and Wangaratta. Indigo shire was also approached later in the year. CERSH was invited by three of the councils (Campaspe, Strathbogie and the City of Greater Shepparton) to present this proposal at a council meeting and continues negotiations with councils to implement this strategy into 2011. The response from these three councils has been positive and we are confident that accessible condom vending machines will become a reality in Northeast Victoria before the end of the CERSH funding period in 2012.
This project is modeled on the Safer Sex in the Sticks project (2008) and more recently the Safer Sex in the Sticks and Beyond project (completed in 2010) carried out by the Swan Hill District Health Service in partnership with CERSH where the local council installed and ensured the maintenance of condom vending machines in spaces accessible by young people.
The local government areas being targeted by CERSH in the Hume region are:
- City of Greater Shepparton
- Shire of Strathbogie
- Shire of Campaspe
CERSH continues to develop collaborations and partnerships with interested local governments to ensure that condom vending machines are installed in public places that are accessible to all of the community and in particular young people, both within and outside of normal business hours.
CERSH is ensuring the sustainability of this project by building strategies in partnership with local government to ensure the ongoing replenishing and maintenance of condom vending machines that are installed during this project and encourage health promotion activities aimed at raising awareness of safer sexual practices in local young people.
CERSH has signed MOUs with Strathbogie Shire, City of Greater Shepparton and Shire of Campaspe. Condom Vending machines have been installed in all three Shires with data being collected and analyised by CERSH from the Shire of Campaspe and City of Greater Shepparton. CERSH is currently working with the Shire of Strathbogie for the completion of installation and commencement of data collection. Preliminary data from the CVMs indicate a slow but progressive usage of the machines with very small indication of vandalism to date.
Note: The City of Greater Shepparton has been impressed with the CVM project it is now considering the purchase of more CVMs for the City of Greater Shepparton.