Just For Young People

Click on the links below to find out heaps of useful information about sexual health:

Services for young people

Do you have clinics for young people?
Yes! The Quarry Health Centre for under 25s in Fremantle has two different types of clinics. Our sexual health clinics are provided by FPWA, while the Quarry General Practice sees young people about social and mental health issues and general well-being. Clinics are confidential and affordable, and you don’t need a referral. Ring 9430 4544 to make an appointment.

FPWA Sexual Health Services in Northbridge also offers confidential clinic appointments around sexual health issues. Ring 9227 6177 to make an appointment.

How much will it cost me?
Our sexual health clinics require a client contribution fee of $15 which entitles school, TAFE and university students to unlimited visits for one year. This fee also applies to pension or healthcare card holders (if you don’t fit into any of these categories the cost is $30 per year). The Quarry General Practice is covered by Medicare.

Can I get a pregnancy test or a Pap smear?
Absolutely! Clinic appointments at FPWA and Quarry Health Centre cover issues such as testing and treatment for sexually transmissible infections (STIs), Pap smears, contraception, pregnancy tests, planned and unplanned pregnancy information and period problems.

If I make an appointment will my parents be able to find out?
Services at FPWA and Quarry Health Centre are completely confidential, and staff won’t tell your parents you have made an appointment. A doctor is not allowed to tell your parents anything about your health without your permission, unless they are concerned you may harm yourself or others.

You are able to get your own Medicare card once you turn 15, and if you come into Quarry without a card we can get your number confidentially from the Medicare office. While staff will need to keep your contact details on file, they won’t ring you or send you a letter if you ask them not to.

Will the doctor be a female?
Doctors and nurses at Quarry and FPWA are mostly female.

I’m a guy and the thought of seeing a female doctor freaks me out….
Never fear! The ‘Mainly Men’ clinic is a free, confidential clinic at Quarry Health Centre. Run by the B2 clinic at Fremantle Hospital, this clinic operates on Wednesday afternoons and clients see a male doctor.

A ‘Men’s Clinic’ runs every second Thursday afternoon at the Northbridge Clinic, and is staffed by both male and female clinicians.

Both clinics cover all aspects of sexual health for guys, including sexually transmissible infections (STIs), safe sex education, contraceptive advice and sexual problems.

What if I just want to talk to someone?
If you have a question about your sexual health, nurses on the Sexual Health Helpline are available for a confidential chat. Don’t be shy – someone is waiting to take your call!

Perth callers: 9227 6178 (8:30am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday)
Country callers: 1800 198 205 (freecall – opening hours vary)
Alternatively, email us for a confidential answer to your query.

The Roe St Centre for human relationships offers confidential counselling appointments at FPWA and Quarry around issues such as unplanned pregnancy, sexuality, termination of pregnancy and sexual problems. A fee applies to this service, unless the issue is unplanned pregnancy, however this can be negotiated if there is a good reason why you can’t afford it

Counsellors from the Quarry General Practice are also available to talk about issues such as depression, anger and abuse.

Help! My assignment is due tomorrow!
The FPWA Library has heaps of great stuff if you are doing an assignment. Information is available on a wide range of topics around sexual and reproductive health. Everyone is welcome to pop in for a browse, and friendly staff are available to help with your query. The library also offers free internet access.

The Quarry Health Centre in Fremantle also has a small library.

Is there a service for people with a disability?
The People 1st Programme (PIP) provides services for people with a developmental, intellectual or learning disability, as well as for parents, carers and service providers.

I’m looking for something to read…
FPWA produces a range of pamphlets especially for young people.

Teens Sitting on Grass The Ins and Outs of Contraception
The Ins and Outs of STIs
The Ins and Out of Relationships
The Ins and Out of Puberty

For more information sheets click here

Am I old enough to…?

Am I old enough to…have sex?
The legal age to have sex in WA is 16 years old (this age varies between States). This applies to both guys and girls, regardless of who you are attracted to.

Remember, for sex to be legal, both partners must always consent – this means that you must both want to do it. Forcing someone to have sex against their will is a crime, as is taking advantage of someone if they’ve been taking drugs or drinking.

Laws around under-age sex apply to everyone, regardless of their gender.

If you are:
• under the age of 13 - no one is allowed to have sex with you (even if you say yes).

• between the ages of 13 and under 16 – a person is not allowed to have sex with you. However, if you do have sex and the older person is charged, they could have a legal defence if:
- you gave consent AND
- they believed you were 16 or older at the time AND
- they are no more than 3 years older than you

• under the age of 18 – a person is not allowed to have sex with you if you are under their care, supervision or authority (even if you consent) eg a teacher or youth worker.

For more information about sex and relationships, check out The Ins and Outs of Sex and the Law

For more information about sex and the law contact Youth Legal Service (Inc) WA.

Am I old enough to…go on the Pill?
A doctor can prescribe the Pill to you at any age, as long as they believe you are mature enough to understand what you are doing, and that you will take it properly.

For more information about the contraceptive pill, check out The Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill.

Am I old enough to…buy condoms?
There is no age limit to buying condoms, and they are widely available from supermarkets, pharmacies and service stations, or at FPWA.

For more information about condoms, check out Male and Female Condoms.

Am I old enough to…have an abortion?
If you are pregnant and considering abortion, it’s a good idea to talk over your options with a doctor or an FPWA counsellor. Counselling sessions about unplannned pregnancy and post termination issues are subsidised by the Health Department of WA and you can access up to four free sessions for FPWA’s annual client contribution fee of $15 (concession price).

If you are under 16 years of age and supported by a parent (usually meaning you live at home with them), a custodial parent must be informed that you are considering an abortion. While your parent needs to be given the opportunity to participate in the counselling process and in consultations between yourself and your doctor, the final decision is still made by you. You can apply to the Children’s Court for an order to proceed with an abortion without your parents knowing. For more information contact FPWA.

For more information about unplanned pregnancy, check out Help, I Think I’m Pregnant!

SEX. Want to know more?

Everyone I know has had sex already, except for me! Am I normal?
Absolutely! The decision to have sex is a personal one, and it’s important to take your time deciding and not feel pressured into doing something you don’t want to. Being in a happy, healthy relationship doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have sex. And remember – sometimes people ‘brag’ about sex to try and look cool. They may in fact still be a virgin just like you, so you’re not the only one!

I like both guys and girls – is there something wrong with me?
Being attracted to people of the same sex is as natural as being attracted to people of the opposite sex. No one knows what causes our sexual attractions. Many people think of sexuality as a range of sexual attraction - some people are attracted to the same sex, some are attracted to the opposite sex and some are attracted to both sexes. These feelings can change at different times in your life. It takes time to know who you are – it’s OK to question your sexuality and it’s OK to be unsure. It’s all part of finding out about yourself. Don’t feel pressured to explain your sexuality to others if you don’t want to – deciding whether to tell people or not is your choice. Working out who you are attracted to can be a confusing and challenging time. Remember that whatever you decide is OK, and that there are people you can talk to about your feelings.

My boyfriend is pressuring me to have sex – I’m scared he’ll hurt me if I say no. What should I do?
Lots of people feel pressured into having sex, even when they are not ready, but no-one has the right to pressure you into doing something you don’t want to, or to make you feel unsafe.

This situation is an example of an abusive relationship. Abusive relationships are where one person intimidates the other to get them to do what they want. Abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual. Sexual abuse is when someone makes you do sexual things that you don’t want to do through force, pressure or manipulation, such as saying things like ‘you’d do it if you loved me’. Young people often don’t always realise they are in an abusive relationship.

If you’re in an abusive relationship it is important to find someone you trust to talk to about your feelings, and to make a safety plan for yourself. If you feel you can’t break up with the person, talk to family and friends and get them to help protect you by being around. If you decide to break up with the person it is a good idea to have a friend or family member with you at the time, and talk to someone about what you can do to legally protect yourself.

Remember, abuse is not acceptable in any relationship – in fact, it’s against the law.

For more sexual health questions and answers go to FAQs

Websites

http://www.freedom.org.au/ – information for same-sex attracted youth

http://www.somazone.com.au/ – information on youth issues

http://www.thehormonefactory.com/ – information on sex, growing up and conception

http://www.youthsayno.wa.gov.au/ – information about family and domestic violence

http://www.reachout.com.au/ – information about grief, depression and related issues

http://www.hubba.co.nz/ - take the hubba hubba challenge and learn about safe sex and STIs

http://www.likeitis.org.au/ - tells it like it is about sex, puberty, contraception etc.

Resources

An intergalactic guide to relationships - for young people

My friend is gay - for friends and parents of same-sex attracted youth

Who's chatting to your kids? booklet - for parents of children with Internet access

Someone you love - information for parents, families and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people

You are not alone - information for same sex attracted, questioning and gender diverse youth

Talk about sex - information for young people about sexuality and sexual health

GQ : Gender Questioning - information for young people about questioning gender

Books

Montano, Josie (2006) Sex stuff they don't teach you at school, Lothian Books, Melbourne, VIC.

Pallotta-Chiarolli, Maria (comp. & ed.) (1998) Girls' talk: young women speak their hearts and minds, Finch, Lane Cove, NSW.

Jukes, Mavis (2002) The Guy book: an owner's manual for teens (safety, maintenance and operating instructions for teens) Crown Publishers, New York, NY.

Movsessian, Shushann (2004) Puberty girl, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW.

Price, Geoff (2005) Puberty Boy, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW

Contact us

Quarry Health Centre for under 25s
7 Quarry Street Fremantle WA
Phone: 9430 4544

FPWA Sexual Health Services
70 Roe Street Northbridge WA
Phone: 9227 6177

Roe St Centre for human relationships (counselling)
70 Roe Street Northbridge WA
Phone: 9228 3693

People 1st Programme
70 Roe Street Northbridge WA
Phone: 9227 6414

FPWA Library and Bookshop
70 Roe Street Northbridge WA
Phone: 9227 6177

Email Us