ASEHERT DECLARATION OF SEXUAL FREEDOM
INTERNATIONAL ANATOLIAN CONGRESS ON
NEUROSCIENCE AND SEXUAL HEALTH-2015
ASEHERT-CİSEATED
www.ciseated.org www.twincongress2015.com
ASEHERT ACCEPTS AND SUPPORTS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND WAS-DECLARATION OF SEXUAL RIGHTS-2014
ASEHERT DECLARATION OF SEXUAL FREEDOM
INTERNATIONAL ANATOLIAN CONGRESS ON
NEUROSCIENCE AND SEXUAL HEALTH-2015
ASEHERT ACCEPTS AND SUPPORTS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND WAS-DECLARATION OF SEXUAL RIGHTS-2014
ASEHERT ASSURES that sexual rights are grounded in universal human rights that are already recognized in international and regional human rights documents, in national constitutions and laws, human rights standards and principles, and in scientific knowledge related to human sexuality and sexual health.
ASEHERT CONFIRMS that sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life, encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles, and relationships.
ASEHERT CONFIRMS that sexuality is a source of pleasure and wellbeing and contributes to overall fulfillment and satisfaction.
ASEHERT AFFIRMS that sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.
ASEHERT AFFIRMS that for sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.
ASEHERT RECOGNIZES that sexual rights are based on the inherent freedom, dignity, and equality of all human beings and include a commitment to protection from harm.
ASEHERT STATES that equality and non-discrimination are foundational to all human rights protection and promotion and include the prohibition of any distinction, exclusion or restriction on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, including disability, age, nationality, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.
ASEHERT AFFIRMS that sexual rights protect all people's rights to fulfill and express their sexuality and enjoy sexual health, with due regard for the rights of others.
ASEHERT CONFIRMS that the association will be OPEN and OPEN MINDED to all kind of new and novel findings and data discovered on human sexuality. ASEHERT’s attitude will NOT be CONSERVATIVE. ASEHERT’s philosophy is evaluating the parameters of human sexuality after applying pure logical, rational and scientific methods, instead of belief systems, myths, rumors and false beliefs.
OUTCOME OF THE 2015-ANATOLIAN CONFERENCE:
1- The sexual behavior of men and women has not yet been understood fully; appropriate scientific research is needed for further unraveling the complex and fascinating phenomenon of human sexuality. Current scientific information on human sexuality should be formulated and rendered more accurate, more detailed, and further expanded. It is IMPERATIVE THAT NO PRESUMPTIONS, CONCEPTUALIZATIONS AND PREMATURE CONCLUSIONS BE MADE on normal human sexual behavior and sexual dysfunctions (such as Hypersexuality or Hypo-sexuality etc.) BEFORE GENUINE, ACCURATE AND INTEGRATED SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION IS PROPERLY GATHERED AND DISSEMINATED.
2- Without proper knowledge based on valid and unbiased scientific data, including social, cultural and trans-national statistics, NO classifications or NO inventories/scales should be designed to determine the “norms” of human sexual behavior and to be aligned with Psychiatric Disorders, as we have observed in the case of HDSI criteria in DSM-5 for Hypersexual Disorder (such as, counting and/or limiting the number of orgasms per week, fantasy duration and frequency, masturbation frequency etc.)
3- SEXUAL FANTASIES and SEXUAL VARIATIONS ARE VERY HEALTHY and within the realm of normal, non-deviant human sexuality.
4- Definitions of paraphilia in the DSM system should also be debated.
5- MASTURBATION IS A HEALTHY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, contrary to what some governments, associations, foundations, authorities and judicial systems accept. Scientific sex therapy begins with teaching people about healthy masturbation.
6- “WHAT NORMAL IS” (on sexual behavior) cannot be limited to and confined within belief systems; CANNOT BE LEFT TO THE DECISIONS OF CERTAIN BIASED AND SELF-SERVING FOUNDATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS, CERTAIN ARBITRARY GROUPS OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, OR MONOPOLIES. However “the norms of human sexuality” are quite debatable and should be discussed on a scientific basis and using objective scientific criteria and scientific methods. “NORMS” MAY CHANGE DEPENDING UPON THE CULTURES, NATIONS AND THE PERIOD OF TIME IN HISTORY.
7- THE SCIENTIFIC DATA AND THE RESULTS OR RULES ON HUMAN SEXUALITY SHOULD NOT BE INFLUENCED, MANIPULATED OR DECIDED BY POLITICAL SYSTEMS, GOVERNMENTS, JUDICIAL SYSTEMS, RELIGIONS, BELIEF SYSTEMS AND BIASES OR PREJUDICES OF DIFFERENT CULTURES. The accepted results and evaluations on human sexuality should be based on valid, objective scientific study.
8- LGBT IS NOT A PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER as some other associations and health professionals in Turkey claim, BUT A SEXUAL PREFERENCE. Every human being has the freedom to experience his or her own sexual preferences, as long as there is no physical or psychological harm rendered to oneself or to others. This freedom should be allowed even though the sexual preference may seem to be different or even weird to the majority of a society, or to some stratum within that society.
9- In FEMALE SEXUALITY many different types of orgasms exist: CLITORAL ORGASMS; VAGINAL ORGASMS (induced by the stimulation of DVZ-Deep Vaginal Erogenous Zones), G-SPOT ORGASMS, BLENDED ORGASMS, NIPPLE ORGASMS, ANAL ORGASMS, BRAIN ORGASMS may exist in a minority of females and NONE OF THEM are UNETHICAL and PATHOLOGICAL. ASEHERT is open to novel definitions and experiences and does NOT reject the experiences and orgasms experienced by a minority of women. GRAFENBERG’S AREA (G-SPOT) and FEMALE EJACULATION ALSO DO EXIST IN SOME WOMEN, contrary to many conservative claims.
10- A SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OR EXPERIENCE (such as vaginal orgasm, G-Spot orgasm etc.) does not need be observed and recorded in 100 % of women for being accepted as a reality. If a few or a minority of women experience an unusual sexual behavior or orgasm and if this is recorded by the scientists and stated as such by these women, then their uncommon experiences and unusual orgasms are a reality, without the confirmation of the rest of the women on the globe (e.g. even if 35 % of women experience vaginal or G-Spot orgasms, then vaginal orgasm is a fact and reality, or if less than 1 % of women experience status orgasmus, then status orgasmus is a fact and reality, so on…)
11- Multiple orgasms, prolonged orgasms, Expanded Sexual Response (ESR) and ESR orgasms and even yet undefined orgasms may exist in some women.
12- BRAIN ORGASMS (MENTAL ORGASMS), without any genital stimuli and sensory CNS input, may exist in some women according to the current f(MRI) findings (Komisaruk et al.).
13- According to current recent data and also the f(MRI) studies, FEMALE ORGASM IS CONTROLLED AND REGULATED BY AT LEAST FOUR NERVES (pudendal nerve, pelvic nerve, hypogastric nerve, and vagus nerve) via sacral and pelvic plexuses to the brain. All the former theories and views on female orgasm should be re-evaluated and reformed taking the “FOUR NERVE CONCEPTUALIZATION” into account (Komisaruk et al.).
14- VIBRATORS AND SEX TOYS are healthy and scientifically-validated devices, contrary to the general biased understanding and beliefs in Turkey, as stated by some OPPOSING associations, psychologists, psychiatrists, health professionals, sex therapists and medical doctors in Turkey. Vibrators and sex toys SHOULD BE ALLOWED AND TO BE USED BY ALL WOMEN AND ALSO BY FEMALES WITH SEXUAL FUNCTION DISORDERS IN SEX THERAPY.
15- In the treatment of VAGINISMUS and ANORGASMIA, a pleasure and orgasm oriented behaviorist approach should be utilized with psychotherapy, using dilators (and/or vibrating dilators), sex toys and vibrators. In treating sexual function disorders of females, promoting the Sexual Mind and training the mental sexual functions are one of the most important concerns to be fully addressed.
16- Every woman and man has the right to be educated in sexuality starting from the age of 18 years--an internationally-recognized adult age and stage of life. ASEHERT confirms to establish scientific, multi-disciplinary, international education systems for the public and health professionals, sex therapists and other interested parties. This education system should be conducted by multi-national academicians with objective, scientific backgrounds and reasoning without any bias. Sexual Education should be multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary. SEXUAL EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE MONOPOLIZED AND GOVERNED BY ANY MONOPOLY GROUPS (such as only by M.D.-psychiatrists as we have seen in TURKEY).
17- ADDENDUM BY PROF. CHARLES MOSER:
A-Further scientific research is needed to understand and to expose the bias in our current understanding of sexuality.
B-The diagnostic criteria of psychiatric diagnoses, especially related to sexuality, require they accurately distinguish individuals who have a disorder from others who are outside the statistical norms. The diagnostic criteria should allow for resolving the diagnosis, not just be put into remission.
C-No sexual fantasy or urge defines a sexual disorder. Crimes of a sexual nature do not automatically diagnose the individual with the corresponding sexual disorder
D-Masturbation per se is a healthy expression of one’s sexuality.
E-Sexual behavior norms change over time and with an individual’s culture.
F-Societal laws pertaining to sexuality should not be influenced by that society’s dominant religion, customs, or political system.
G-Homosexuality, bisexuality and non-standard gender identity are not indicative of a psychiatric disorder.
H-Different innervation of erogenous zones allows for distinct types of orgasm (e.g., clitoral, vaginal, mental, multiple, and G spot). These different orgasms can exist.
I-Vibrators and sex toys can have a therapeutic effect in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions and can enhance the sexual pleasure of the individual without a sexual dysfunction.
THE ACADEMICIANS AND PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE AND WHO APPROVED THE DECLARATION |
Prof. Osmo Kontula (Finland) President of SSSS Former President of NACS and FIAS WAS Advisory Committee University of Helsinki Population Research Institute, Helsinki Editor-in-Chief SexuS | Prof. Charles Moser (USA) Institute of Advanced Study of Human Sexuality-San Fransisco- Chair-Human Sexuality SexuS Editorial Board | Prof. Oswaldo M. Rodrigues (Brazil) Director, Insittuto Paulista de Sexualidade, Sao Paulo, Brazil Editor-in-Chief SexuS |
Prof. Carlos Schenck (USA) Dept. of Psychiatry & Sleep Lab, University of Minnesota, Minnesota SexuS Editorial Board | Prof. Barry Komisaruk (USA) Distinguished Professor, Dept. Psychology- Adjunct Professor, Dept. Radiology, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Sexus Editorial Board | Dr. Marjo Tossavainen (Finland) Sex Therapist, Psychologist, Finland SexuS Editorial Board |
Dr. Pauli Tossavainen (Finland) MD, Psychiatrist, Finland | Prof. Erwin Haeberle (Germany) Emeritus, Sexologist, Achieves for Sexology, Former President of DGSS SexuS Editorial Board | Assc. Prof. Dr. Ümit Sayın (Turkey) İstanbul University President of ASEHERT-CİSEATED Editor-in-Chief, Founder, SexuS |
Assc. Prof. Sultan Tarlaci (Turkey) Neurologist Editor in Chief, SexuS Editor in Chief-Founder NeuroQuantology İzmir-Private Practice | Dr. Süleyman Eserdağ (Turkey) Gynecologist-Sex Therapist Ankara, Private Practice Hera Gynecological Center SexuS Editorial Board | Dr. Murat Ulusoy (Turkey) Sex Therapist-Hypnotist Kuş Adası, Private Practice SexuS Editorial Board |
Psk. Dr. Sinem Cankardeş (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED Clinical Psychologist, PhD., Adnan Menderes University, İzmir | Dentist Dr. Mine Arısoy (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED Kartal State Hospital, İstanbul | Dr. Berk Karaoğlu (Turkey) İzmir, Psychologist, Private Practice |
Asst. Prof. Asiye Kocatürk (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED Chair, Midwifery, MEDIPOL University | Associate Prof. Fehmi Narter Urologist, State Hospital SexuS Editorial Board | Psk. Elif Can Gürsoy, MsC (Turkey) Psychologist, Private practice |
Levent Kartal (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED SexuS Secretarial | Oktay Aksoy (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED | Dr. Şermin Kartal (Turkey) Private Company ASEHERT-CİSEATED |
Dr. Hacer Canatan (Turkey) OKAN University | Taner Arısal (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED Co-Owner of CENSAN Co. Owner of CETHES Co. SexuS Secretarial | Müge Arısal (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED CENSAN Co. / CETHES Co. |
Birsen Güney (Turkey) Halit Güney Co., owner, CEO | Nursen Güney (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED Halit Güney Co., Owner, CEO | Dr. Ayşen Uzun (Turkey) |
İpek Zeynep Yılmaz (Turkey) SexuS Secretarial |
Asst. Prof. Joshua Rosenberger (USA) George Mason University, Virginia SexuS Editorial Board | Dr. Maaret Kallio (Finland) Psychologist, Sex Therapist, Psychotherapist, Helsinki-Finland SexuS Editorial Board | Assc. Prof. Katarzyna Wac (Denmark) Computer Scientist, University of Copenhagen, University of Geneva-Switzerland |
Prof. Esben Esther P. Benestad (Norway) University of Adger, MD, Sexologist SexuS Editorial Board | Prof. Elsa Mari Almas (Norway) University of Adger, President of NFKS, Sex Therapist SexuS Editorial Board | Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh (USA) Middle East Representative of WAS Social Psychologist, San Fransisco Private work |
Prof. Beverly Whipple (USA) (Emerita) Rutgers University, New Jersey Author of the book “G-Spot” SexuS Editorial Board | Dr. Debby Herbenick (USA) Indiana University, Lousiana SexuS Editorial Board | Özgül Tandoruk (Turkey) ASEHERT-CİSEATED |