Virginia Becomes 14th State to Reject Federal Abstinence Only Funding

Virginia Governor Timothy M Kaine has added Virginia to the list of 13 other states that have cut funding for abstinence-only sex education programs. In cutting the $275,000 from the state budget that is required to match federal abstinence-only funding, Kaine cited recent studies that found abstinence-only programs to be ineffective, reports the Washington Post.

"The governor supports abstinence-based education, but...wants to see us funding programs that are evidence based," Kaine’s communications director Delancey Skinner told the Post. Skinner said that the state will provide "more comprehensive" sex education.

Kaine’s action will eliminate funding for 14 nonprofits that teach the federally funded abstinence-only programs in the state. Other organizations and schools that do not receive the federal funding to teach abstinence-only sex education will not be impacted by this cut.

Media Resources: Washington Post, 11/13/07; Associated Press, 11/13/07

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