![]()
Your body is yours. So the choice is yours.
You don’t have to do anything with your body that you don’t want to do.
The best sexual relationships are with someone you care about. The good feeling you get from being intimate can last way beyond the act of intimacy.
If you cannot be honest with the person you are thinking of having sex with; or if you do not respect them – reconsider having sex with them
What the law says
The law is very clear about consent. Consent is your partner freely agreeing to have sex with you. If your partner has not freely agreed, then, according to the law you may be committing sexual assault or rape.
IT IS A CRIME TO HAVE SEX WITH SOMEONE WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.
IT IS A CRIME TO HAVE SEX WITH SOMEONE WHO IS UNDER 17.
This applies to both heterosexual (sex between two people of the opposite sex) and homosexual sex (sex between two people of the same sex).
For more information visit:
STDs
The clap, crabs and the pox are just some of the names for a whole lot of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that you will do yourself a BIG favour by avoiding. Some STDs can cause cancer and some STDs, like AIDS, can kill.
So do you want the bad news or the good news first?
Well, the bad news is that statistically, if you are between the ages of 15 and 24, have sex with more than one partner, and live in an urban setting you are at the highest risk of getting an STD.
The good news is there are very easy ways to decrease that risk.
They are:
• Abstinence;
• Test for STDs BEFORE you have sex with your partner; and
• Always use a condom.If you are concerned about an STD, contact your local doctor, STD clinic or Family Planning Clinic.
If you are concerned about an STD, contact your local doctor, STD clinic or Family Planning Clinic.
Or contact:
FPA Healthline
Call: 1300 65 88 86 for more information
Or visit:
www.fpahealth.org.au
Contraception
It is important to know that physical contact can open the door to sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. Using a condom is a way to decrease those risks.
Even if you do trust your boyfriend or girlfriend, you cannot be sure that they are not carrying an STD. They may not even know themselves. Many STDs have no symptoms at all for many months but can still infect the other person.
The proper use of condoms can greatly reduce the risk of STDs and unwanted pregnancy but there is no protective method that is 100% effective.
What is the 'proper use' of condoms?
• Check the expiry date. Don’t use condoms that have expired;
• Before use, check the condom has not discoloured or become brittle;
• Find the right sized condom;
• Take off your rings and jewellery that may tear the condom;
• Use a water-based lubricant as it reduces the risk of the condom breaking;
• Do not use an oil-based lubricant as it weakens the rubber;
• Store condoms in a cool dark place, away from heat;
• Learn good technique!
Good Technique
The condom needs to be on the penis before any contact with a partner. After sex, hold onto the condom at the base of the penis and then withdraw. That way the condom will not fall off inside the other person's body. Condoms should not be reused. A new condom should be used for each episode of intercourse.
For more tips on how to use condoms visit:
How to use a condom
Safe Sex
Safe sex means not allowing your partner's body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids) into your body and vice versa. It can also mean covering up or avoiding contact with parts of the body that might be infectious (e.g. herpes sores or warts.)
Oral sex carries a lower risk of transmitting most (not all) of the STDs. If you have oral sex, you can reduce the risk of infection by following these guidelines.
Use condoms (chose your flavour!) or dental dams;
Avoid getting semen or blood in your mouth;
Avoid oral sex if you have mouth ulcers or bleeding gums;
Avoid brushing your teeth immediately before oral sex; and
If you get cold sores, don't give your partner oral sex when you have an outbreak. (Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus.)
If you have vaginal or anal intercourse, use condoms. They have the added benefit of helping prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Have you been raped?
Here is information for organisations in each state who can give you help and support if you have been raped or sexually assaulted.
NT
Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Rape Inc
Services include medical, legal and resource information, emotional and practical support during police and court proceedings (if a woman chooses to report the rape) and related appointments, self-help groups for survivors and relatives, educational workshops and training lectures in the community on sexual violence, participation in public meetings and campaigns on sexual violence and a lending library of books, videos and articles on rape and related issues.
Call: 08 8945 0155 (8.30am to 5pm)
Email: info@rubygaea.net.au
Back to top
