Sex, the law and You...

  • What the law says we can do for young people (incl U16s)
  • We can give information about contraceptive methods and sexually transmitted infections
  • Give out condoms and give an explanation of how to use them
  • Accompany a young person to a sexual health service
  • Carry out a pregnancy test
  • Speak with young people about sexual health and relationships.
  • Anyone can get condoms there is no age limit to say you are too young.

We must follow guidelines if you are under 16 (fraser guidlines)

These guidelines were bought in to protect young people under 16 from harm, we will ask you a few questions to assess your needs, then from the result of that, provide you with the best service we can to meet your needs.

Deciding to have sex is a big step. Its something you will remember for the rest of your life.

You only have to have sex if you really want to do it.

You should never have sex because you think its expected of you. If you have already started having sex, you can stop if you want to.

Here is a check list you can do help you decide if you are ready or not:

  • You feel you could say no if you wanted to.         
  • You can have fun together without anything sexual involved.
  • You each want it for yourself, not for the other person or to fit in with with friends or others' expectations of you.
  • Nobody's forcing you, pressuring you, or making you.
  • You have discussed using condoms and contraception, and agreed what happens next and whether or not to tell your friends afterwards as well as talking about the implications if you become pregnant.

You probably won't be ready for sex until you can tick all these boxes. But remember even once you are ready  - it still doesn't mean you have to!

Remember too that just because you've already had sex - it doesn't mean you have to again.

You can take some time out.             copyright: Jo Adams

Ideally you should wait until you are 16 before you have sex. This is the legal age to have sex in England. The older you are when you first have sex, the better you can deal with all the emotions it brings up.

In England, it is illegal to have sex with anyone under 13. If you do, you can get into serious trouble with the police