Event to educate on sex toy usage

Sex toy entrepreneur Jen Qualls said college students are a major part of her business.

When I have a party with an older crowd

they seem more uncomfortable to discuss sex and the different toys. But the younger group is more open to learning and asks questions said Qualls, owner of ToyDivaz.com and a sex toy consultant for For Your Pleasure.

ToyDivaz is an associate of For Your Pleasure, a sex toy party company and catalogue merchandiser.

The parties that Jen hosts are popular for girls' nights in and birthday parties for college students, she said.

Ohio University students are no exception.

I've attended a sex toy party for friends' birthdays and almost everyone bought one

said Morgan Chambers, a senior studying dance.

You definitely have to know the crowd you're with at the party

and a bottle of wine doesn't hurt

said Erin Lund, a senior studying political science.

In 2006, Americans contributed an estimated $13.33 billion dollars to the adult industry with revenue for adult novelties such as sex toys totaling $1.73 billion, according to the Internet Filter Review.

Toys are my most popular seller. I can hardly keep them on my shelves

said Ann Sowers, the owner of Passionate Kisses, an adult novelty and toy store located on 21 Kern Street. I normally have three orders a week.

One of the most popular in recent years is The Rabbit, which first made its debut as Charlotte's new favorite sex toy in a 1998 episode of Sex and the City.

The Rabbit is still a big seller. At most of my parties

people ask for it

Qualls said.

Prices for sex toys can range from a $10 basic vibrator to $100 or more dollars depending on the bells and whistles the consumer wants

Sowers said.

POWER, a nonprofit student organization, will be hosting a Single, Safe and Sexy night, where students can ask sexual health and sex toy questions and enjoy free food among many other events.

As a part of the event, Qualls will be informing interested students on the guidelines to cleaning and owning a sex toy.

I usually get the interest of more experienced students

but I make sure to address the different materials and the safety precautions to owning one