It is normal to have a lot of mixed feelings about having sex with someone else. Don’t let anyone intimidate you into having sex. You can talk to the person you are attracted to, friends and family members before you decide. You can also talk about sex to confidential services including Kids Help Line.If you choose to have sex with someone, you should think about sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
You are at risk of STI’s if you have sexual contact with someone of the same sex or the opposite sex. You can reduce your risk of STIs with safe sex practises.
Sexual activity
Young people in Years 10, 11 and 12 are sexually active to varying degrees. Many teenagers have had sexual experiences, but many other teenagers have not.
Young people were interviewed in 2002 for the third National Survey of Australian Secondary Students, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health, carried out by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
Selected statistics include:
About one quarter of Year 10 students and half of Year 12 students have had vaginal intercourse.
About one quarter of Year 10 students and half of Year 12 students have had vaginal intercourse.
Of the young people who had ever had sex, about half of the males and 61% of the females had at least one sexual partner in the last year.
37.3% of Year 10 students and 56.7% of Year 12 students had engaged in oral sex.
The most recent sexual encounter for about two-thirds of young people was with their regular girlfriend or boyfriend.
If you are thinking about having sex
Sex is a physical way to express love and affection for someone. Being in a sexual relationship can be rewarding and enjoyable. It is important to remember:
Both partners need to agree to have sex
No one has the right to force you to have sex
You always have the right to say no.
It is okay to change your mind.
Don’t let anyone intimidate you into having sex. Some people wrongly think that they can demand that another person be sexual with them, or force them to have sex against their will. This is sexual assault or rape, and is a crime.
It is common to be unsure
Kids Help Line, a confidential telephone counselling service, receives about 20,000 calls each year from young people who want to talk about sex issues and relationships. Callers to Kids Help Line want to talk about issues including pregnancy, contraception, relationship breakdowns and pressure to have sex.
You can call Kids Help Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and talk to a professional counsellor. This is a free call from anywhere in Australia, even if you call from a public telephone.
Talk to the person you are sexually attracted to
You may find yourself sexually attracted to your partner, a friend or an acquaintance. Talking about sex with this person can help you both work out if you want to begin a sexual relationship. Talk about your expectations, and what you expect from the other person.
‘Safe sex’ is always a good idea
It is always a good idea to engage in 'safe sex' to protect yourself and your partner from:
Becoming pregnant
Catching a sexually transmissible infection - for example HIV/AIDS, herpes, chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhoea. Using condoms (male or female) with water based lubricants and dental dams is one way to protect yourself from some of these infections.
Different sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are passed on in different ways. Talk to health workers at your local community health centre, your doctor or someone from a family planning clinic to find out more about preventing pregnancy and STIs.
Male condoms can be bought from supermarkets, chemists and other outlets. Female condoms and dams are available through Family Planning Victoria and may be available from selected shops. Latex free condoms are also available from some outlets. Male condoms and lubricant are available free from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, along with female condoms and dams on request.
If you are attracted to someone of the same sex
Young people can experience many new feelings which can sometimes be confusing. Some young people find they are attracted to someone of the same sex.
Being gay, lesbian or bisexual is normal for some people. It is also normal to feel confused if you are unsure about your sexuality.
You can call Kids Help Line to talk about your feelings in private. You can also obtain more information from Reach Out and from P-FLAG, a group for parents and friends of lesbian and gay people.
It is important to practise safe sex in a same-sex relationship to protect yourself from sexually transmissible infections.
The most recent sexual encounter for about two-thirds of young people was with their regular girlfriend or boyfriend.
If you are thinking about having sex
Sex is a physical way to express love and affection for someone. Being in a sexual relationship can be rewarding and enjoyable. It is important to remember:
Both partners need to agree to have sex
No one has the right to force you to have sex
You always have the right to say no.
It is okay to change your mind.
Don’t let anyone intimidate you into having sex. Some people wrongly think that they can demand that another person be sexual with them, or force them to have sex against their will. This is sexual assault or rape, and is a crime.
It is common to be unsure
Kids Help Line, a confidential telephone counselling service, receives about 20,000 calls each year from young people who want to talk about sex issues and relationships. Callers to Kids Help Line want to talk about issues including pregnancy, contraception, relationship breakdowns and pressure to have sex.
You can call Kids Help Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and talk to a professional counsellor. This is a free call from anywhere in Australia, even if you call from a public telephone.
Talk to the person you are sexually attracted to
You may find yourself sexually attracted to your partner, a friend or an acquaintance. Talking about sex with this person can help you both work out if you want to begin a sexual relationship. Talk about your expectations, and what you expect from the other person.
‘Safe sex’ is always a good idea
It is always a good idea to engage in 'safe sex' to protect yourself and your partner from:
Becoming pregnant
Catching a sexually transmissible infection - for example HIV/AIDS, herpes, chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhoea. Using condoms (male or female) with water based lubricants and dental dams is one way to protect yourself from some of these infections.
Different sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are passed on in different ways. Talk to health workers at your local community health centre, your doctor or someone from a family planning clinic to find out more about preventing pregnancy and STIs.
Male condoms can be bought from supermarkets, chemists and other outlets. Female condoms and dams are available through Family Planning Victoria and may be available from selected shops. Latex free condoms are also available from some outlets. Male condoms and lubricant are available free from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, along with female condoms and dams on request.
If you are attracted to someone of the same sex
Young people can experience many new feelings which can sometimes be confusing. Some young people find they are attracted to someone of the same sex.
Being gay, lesbian or bisexual is normal for some people. It is also normal to feel confused if you are unsure about your sexuality.
You can call Kids Help Line to talk about your feelings in private. You can also obtain more information from Reach Out and from P-FLAG, a group for parents and friends of lesbian and gay people.
It is important to practise safe sex in a same-sex relationship to protect yourself from sexually transmissible infections.
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