Cath Hakanson

Global Sex Educator

Cath Hakanson is a global sex educator based in Greater Perth, Australia. With over 25 years of experience, Cath believes that parents should be able to educate their children about sex in a shame-free and fear-free way. As the founder of Sex Ed Rescue and Sex Ed Shop, she is on a mission to equip parents with the tools and confidence to make sex education more comfortable. Cath has helped over 1 million people around the world by creating comprehensive sex ed materials for parents, on topics including sex, gender identity, body diversity, consent, and more. Cath has previous experience as a sexual health nurse, a post-graduate certificate in sexual health and venereology, a master's in health promotion, and a post-graduate diploma in sexology. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and more.

Education

  • Masters, Health Promotion, Curtin University
  • Post-Graduate Diploma, Sexology, Curtin University
  • Post-Graduate Certificate, Sexual Health & Venereology, Sydney Hospital
  • Certificate, Midwifery, Royal Darwin Hospital
  • Certificate, General Nursing, Ipswich Hospital

Professional Achievements

  • Founding Member (Treasurer) for the WA Branch, Society Australian Sexologists
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBWA) Research Fellowship Award, 2009
  • Australasian Sexual Health and HIV Nurses' Association (ASHHNA) Scholarship, 2008

Certifications & Organizations

  • Registered Nurse, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
  • Clinical Sexuality Educator, Society of Australian Sexologists
  • Member, World Association for Sexual Health

Favorite Piece of Advice

The more up front and clear we can be with our kids – in an entirely age-appropriate and values-aligned way – the more empowered they are to make smart sexual decisions.

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Forum Comments (9)

I think I'm aromantic...
A great question, and honestly, it isn't a simple answer so I'd encourage you to check out one of my fave websites as they have some great resources to help you figure it out! Here's the link: https://www.minus18.org.au/

But, I do also want to mention that some people don't start to have sexual or romantic feelings for people until their late teens, early to mid, or even late twenties. We all develop and grow at different rates. And there is a lot of pressure from society to have a romantic partner, and if you don't (and are uninterested in even having one) you'll start to question whether you're aromantic, and well meaning friends/family may even try to tell you that you are. So you may well be a 'late bloomer' and it's too soon yet to know if you are or aren't!
This quiz said I'm bisexual...
Bisexuality is when you're romantically/sexually attracted to people who are the same sex as you, and people who are of a different sex to you.

Sometimes it can take a little while to know who you are attracted to, so uncertainty can happen until your late teens to even mid to late twenties! Some people may think they are straight/hetero, and then when they leave school, start uni/get a job, they then realize they are also attracted to people of the same sex as them. And then a few years later (or months), they realize they're attracted to people of the same sex as well as a different sex to them. I'd encourage you to be curious and just see what happens, if you meet someone who you find attractive, be open minded and see where it goes.
Am I lesbian?
If you’re looking for some clarity, try checking in with yourself. If you’re reading a romance novel about two women, do you feel drawn to it? When you fantasize, who are you imagining? These things can sometimes help. The most important thing is to stay curious. Don’t overthink it, and give yourself time to see what feels right.
How often should you masturbate?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for how often you should masturbate. Some people don’t masturbate at all, while others do it daily. Both are fine, as long as masturbation doesn’t become a replacement for real-world activities, like seeing friends or going out.
What should more people know before having sex for the first time?
Before people have sex, they should know about sexual readiness. In other words, are they actually ready to have sex with someone? Sometimes adolescents and young adults have sex due to peer pressure or because they believe they should be doing it since others are. But it’s important to be self-aware and to know if you’re truly ready.

Consent is also a huge issue. For example, in Australia, if you don’t explicitly say, “I want to have sex with you” and ask for permission, then legally, that means consent hasn't been given, and the issue can go to court. So consent is huge for anyone engaging in sex. Communication and trust matter, but with hookup culture—like meeting someone on an app and going straight to someone’s house—those things aren’t always present.

Of course, contraception and safe sex are also important, and if someone’s into kink, it’s vital to make sure everything is consensual and negotiated in advance.
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Co-authored Articles (11)

How to Know If Sperm Entered Your Body during Vaginal Sex

Learn the mechanics of sex to avoid unwanted pregnancy Sex is a magical, passionate, and fun experience, but it can result in pregnancy if you aren’t careful. But how do you know if sperm is actually going to enter you...

How to

Hide an Erection

There's nothing quite as awkward as getting an unexpected erection in public, and yet it happens to many people at some point (usually more than once). Fortunately, it's easy to hide an unwanted erection so the people ar...

How to

Have a Healthy Sex Life (Teens)

Sex or sexual experiences can be a great part of your relationship, an enjoyable one-time experience, or something you're saving for later. No matter which you choose, this is a major decision that you and your partner s...

Making DIY Lube with Natural Household Ingredients

Benefits of natural lube & which ingredients to avoid Lube is often an important part of enjoying sex, but commercial lubricants often contain fragrances, parabens, and other ingredients that can irritate the skin and e...

7 Ways to Get Rid of Blue Balls

Find relief fast with these tips Blue balls (medically known as epididymal hypertension) is a condition where blood accumulates in the genitals during sexual arousal, but is never released due to a failure to orgasm.. 17...

9 Effective & Safe Ways to Get Rid of an Erection

Get rid of an unexpected erection quickly & discreetly Erections are a completely natural bodily function, but they can be an unwanted surprise when you aren’t in the privacy of your home. Thankfully, there are plenty ...

Do I Have a Sex Addiction Quiz

Sex is a normal and natural part of life, but sometimes a person’s focus on sex can interfere with their life.. 17 April 2025. And not all sex addicts are having sex regularly—some just feel intensely distracted by s...

How to Wash & Sanitize Vibrators (& Other Sex Toys)

Extend the life of your vibe with our easy cleaning guideCleaning your vibrator can be just as quick and easy as washing your hands—typically, all you need is soap and water to get your sex toy sparkling clean.. 17 Apr...

How to

Hide a Condom

Learn the best places to hide condoms from your parentsIf you live with roommates or family members, you may feel awkward about storing your condoms. There are many discreet ways to store condoms where people are unlikel...

The Best & Worst Places to Store Your Condoms

Keep your condoms safe and secured in these places Condoms are a popular method of birth control, plus they have the added benefit of preventing STDs. Make sure you store your condoms in the right conditions so they don...

How to Bring up Sex Education with Your Child

Preparing to have “the talk” Many parents dread having “the sex talk” with their child. However, these conversations can be a great opportunity to develop a deep and trusting relationship. Start off by discussin...