| Who we spend our time with, what we look like,
what music we like, what risks we take all help to let people
know who we are.
Understanding how you are going to change and develop over
the next few years will help you understand how you can keep
yourself safe and make decisions you are happy with.
We all make decisions for lots of different reasons; some
will be the right decision for us, some we will regret. This
is how we learn what is right for us.
As we get older we have to make serious but exciting decisions
about the sort of relationships which result in having sex.
We can reduce the risk of making life changing decisions we
might regret eg getting pregnant when we don’t want
to or getting a sexually transmitted infection. These decisions
have long lasting effects on our lives.
Having the right information can help in making decisions
we are happy with. For more information on safer sex, contraception,
relationships, what to do if you get pregnant or catch an
STI, there are a number of useful websites and services you
can visit. There are probably lots of people you can go to
ask about sexual health issues such as Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STIs), using a condom, perhaps your mum or dad
or carer, your friends (but they might not know either) your
teacher, an aunt or uncle, an older brother or sister, a youth
worker.
Don’t forget you parents and carers probably know a
lot more than you might think.
The law
There are lots of laws about young people and sex. It is important
you know that legislation to keep yourself safe. You will
find more information on the websites but very simply:
- It is unlawful for a male to have sex with a girl under
16 years old and for a man to have sex with another man
under 18 years old.
- A termination or abortion can be carried out up to 24
weeks.
- Doctors cannot discuss any details of your conversations
with them to anyone else without your permission.
Where to go for information and support:
Websites
Be careful when going onto the web, putting ‘sex’
into a search engine could get you into sites which may end
up with you getting into trouble with your parents or carers
or the police. We have selected some safe sites for you.
www.avert.org.uk
www.ruthinking.co.uk
Sexwise can provide confidential help, advice and
details of local services: Tel: 0800 282930 from 7am –
midnight.
There are also services especially for you in North East
Lincolnshire eg CHOICES a list of services is available on
the area of this site. You can visit any Choices service to
talk about any concerns you might have, not just about sex.
However if you want to know about sex they can give you information,
condoms, pregnancy tests and will put you in touch with other
services if you need treatment, eg for an STI or you need
a termination. The people there are friendly, have confidentiality
guidance to keep you safe, are experienced in talking about
difficult issues.
Your school and youth club may have copies of Where To Turn
which lists all the services for young people in North and
North East Lincolnshire. If you don’t have a copy, ask
your teacher or youth worker.
There are a number of pharmacists who are able to provide
Emergency Hormonal Contraception if you have had unprotected
sex and are at risk of becoming pregnant. See the Sexwise
number and www.rethinking.co.uk
We hope you have happy and fulfilling relationships but if
you want to know more or are having difficulties there are
lots of people around to support you. Have fun, be safe.
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