workshops held at the Women's Resource Centre.

Issues will include under-age sex, date rape and peer pressure which may lead to youngsters straying off the straight-and-narrow.

It is hoped the workshops will help to lessen problems like teenage pregnancy, abuse and crime.

And counselling services director Ms Sharon Apopa is hoping for a good turnout of both girls and boys.

The first workshop will take place between July 5-8 and will involve Primary Seven students who are just about to start secondary school.

Ms Apopa said: "We will look at the change from primary to secondary school and how they must interact in a larger system.

"They must look at how to maintain family values and how to confront peer pressure. They meet a variety of people and get confused about their individuality.

"A lot of parents are concerned because they have not had a lot of control over which school their children are going to attend.

"Parents do not want children to mix with certain people they want them to have their own individuality. They fear that their child could become an undesirable.'' There will be two sessions a day from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

and parents can choose which group they desire.

The second workshop concerns Youth, Sex and Law and will be for girls and boys aged 12-15 years.

Ms Apopa said: "Every year after the summer a lot of young women in the 13-15 years age group get pregnant. They need to know some of the dangers involved.'' They will be told that the law concerning underage sex and how consenting to sex under the age of 14 is illegal.

Ms Apopa said: "We want boys to come along and talk to us about being sexually assaulted. Very few males come forward and admit this because they are afraid people will laugh at them.'' The workshop runs from July 12-15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., including a light lunch.

The third workshop is for older pupils and college students and concerns date or acquaintance rape.

Ms Apopa said: "We will be looking at the whole issue of date rape and what constitutes force and consent.

"We want to talk to young men in this class also to discuss the issues in full.'' That workshop will take place on July 7, 14 and 21 between 5pm-8pm. All the workshops will include a certain amount of role-play and videos.

Women's Resource Centre Help Line counsellor Ms Janice Darrell pointed out that all courses are free.

Ms Apopa said: "We want to get parents to encourage the young people to come along to the workshops and perhaps it will help to reduce things like sexual assault.'' They can be contacted at the centre on 295-3882 on weekdays between 10 a.m.

and 2 p.m.