ABSTRACT

Sexual health has been a focus of interdisciplinary professionals for centuries. The social work profession, however, did not and has not completely committed itself to the field of sexuality despite the fit between sexual health, sexuality, and social work. This chapter will guide you through the history of the Social Work Profession as it relates to human sexuality and sexual health. From the time of Settlement houses to the world of online “hook-ups”, sexuality has been identified as a vital aspect of any individual’s life course. Social workers work within, around, and in collaboration with other professionals to address and intervene in issues of sexuality and sexual health. However, our profession must commit to this practice and policy area to improve the lives of our clients while working towards equality in sexual health.