Citation

Mathews B, Sanci LA. Med. J. Aust. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Australian Medical Association, Publisher Australasian Medical Publishing)

DOI

10.5694/mja2.51163

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many Australian teenagers engage in consentual sexual intercourse with similar aged peers. They require confidential medical care, includig contraception and sexually transmitted disease testing. However, adolescents' right to access medical care may confront legal barriers.

In several Australian stats and territories, new criminal laws require adults to report sexual offences against children. Other criminal laws make it an offence for adolescents under age 16 to ingage in sexual activities. Accordingly, a question for clinical practice is whether the new criminal law reporting duty applies to adolescents' confidential communicaitons regarding consentual sexual contact ...

Language: en

Keywords

Child abuse; Legislation; Adolescence; medical; Adolescent medicine; Confidentiality; Contraception; General practice; Patient rights; Sex offenses; Women’s rights