The “Safe Sex, Safe Hearts” Campaign
An Inseparable Counterbalance to the Right to Abortion
Broadening the Conversation Surrounding Sex Ed to Support Cultural Healing
by Sondra Wilson. Updated July 23, 2025.
As Governor, I will sign a bill to codify reproductive rights into the Iowa Civil Rights Act (right to abortion throughout 1st trimester, with medical exceptions for 2nd and 3rd trimesters).
I also filed a class action for abortion rights: see Wilson et al v. Trump et al. I am currently preparing the amended petition.
That said, it is crucial that we not only teach about sex, but also about how to respectfully communicate with others surrounding sensitive topics, especially members of the opposite sex.
The “Safe Sex, Safe Hearts” Campaign
With reproductive freedom comes the responsibility to foster a culture of consent, care, and clear communication.
That’s why I will launch Safe Sex, Safe Hearts—a public education initiative aimed at reducing unintentional pregnancies while supporting emotionally healthy, respectful relationships across Iowa.
This campaign will:
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Expand comprehensive sex education in schools and community centers, grounded in science, consent, and real-world scenarios;
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Provide free access to condoms, birth control, and STI screenings to remove financial and logistical barriers;
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Teach healthy communication skills around sex and intimacy—how to check in, set boundaries, express needs clearly, and listen with respect;
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Help Iowans unlearn toxic gender norms by supporting respectful dialogue between men, women, and nonbinary people, especially around vulnerable and sensitive topics;
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Offer mental health tools and trauma-informed support to help people navigate relationships with care and emotional maturity.
We won’t shame people.
We’ll empower them—with knowledge, compassion, and healthy communication skills to lead to healthier relationships across Iowa. Stop domestic abuse early before it starts: educate the next generation.