1. Sexual Health Policy

MODELPOLICY

1. SEXUAL HEALTH POLICY

Purpose:Thispolicyensuresallclientsof(insertservicename)haveaccesstotheinformationandsupporttheyneedto achieveoptimalsexualhealthandwellbeing.Itoutlinestherationalefordevelopingasafe,non-judgementalandsex positiveenvironmentthatprovidesthebestpossiblesexualhealthoutcomesforyoungpeople.

Definitions:Sexualhealth:sexualhealthis“…astateofphysical,emotional,mentalandsocialwellbeinginrelationto sexuality…Sexualhealthrequiresapositiveandrespectfulapproachtosexualityandsexualrelationships,aswellasthe possibilityofhavingpleasurableandsafesexualexperiences,freeofcoercion,discriminationandviolence.”1

1.1 STATEMENT OF RIGHTS

Youngpeoplehavetheright to decidefreelyonallmattersrelatedto their sexualitywithoutcoercion,discriminationandviolence, andwith respectforothers.Thisencompassespeople’sright to exploretheir own sexualityfreefrom shame,fearandguilt.

1.2 SEX POSITIVITY

(Insertservicename)commitstoasex-positiveapproachthatisinformedbyanunderstandingofmutualrightsand responsibilities.Sexpositivityfocusesonlife-enhancingandpleasurableaspectsofsexualityandnotjusttherisks.It includes beingnon-judgemental,usinginclusivelanguage,promotingchoice,andsupportingpeopletobeawareoftheirchoices.

1.3 INFORMATION

Youngpeoplehavearighttoaccuratereproductiveandsexualhealthinformationandeducation,andarighttoaccess

confidentialserviceprovision.Thisenablesinformeddecisionmakingwithrespecttotheirsexualityandsexualhealth.

(Insertservicename)willprovidesexualhealthprogramsandinformationindividuallyandingroupsasappropriateto theirclients’needs.

1.4 HOLISTIC INTAKE, ASSESSMENT AND CASEWORK

(Insertservicename)willsupportclientstoprovideappropriateinformationaboutsexualactivityandsexualhealth concernsaspartofholisticintake,assessmentandcaseworkprocesses.

1.5 REFERRAL

(Insertservicename)willmaintainacomprehensivelistingofsexualhealthclinics,youthfriendlygeneralpracticeand youthhealthservicesforreferralofyoungpeopleseekingsexualhealthinformation,testingandtreatment.

Youngpeoplereferredtotheseserviceswillbesupportedtoprepareforandattendappointments.Theywillalsobe supportedwithfollowuponanyoutcomesoftheconsultationsuchasfurthertesting,treatmentorcontracttracing.

1.6 CONDOM DISTRIBUTION

(Insertservicename)recognisesthatdistributionofcondoms,damsandotherprotectivematerialsisaneffectiveresponse toindividualandcommunityhealth.

(Insertservicename)willprovidefreeaccesstoreadilyavailablecondoms,damsandothermaterialsandtheinformation requiredtousethemeffectively.

1.7 PARTNERSHIPS

(Insertservicename)willformpartnershipswithorganisationsandindividualsthatwillsupportservicecapacitytoprovide sexualhealthinterventions.

(Insertservicename)willdevelopformalpartnershipswithNSWHealthagenciestoensureworkersarelegallypermitted toprovidecondomsandothermaterialsunderSection34(1)ofthePoisonsandTherapeuticGoodsAct.

1.8 CHILD PROTECTION

Indeliveringsexualhealthinterventionsforyoungpeopleincludingcondomanddamdistribution(insertservicename)

willassessrisksassociatedwithchildprotectionissuesincludingmandatoryreportingandprevioustrauma.

Staffwillapplythechildprotectionpoliciesof(insertservicename)ifsexualhealthinterventionsresultinclientdisclosure. Thiswillbedonewithanunderstandingofthelawasitappliestoconsensualsexbetweenyoungpeopleofsimilarages.

(Insertservicename)recognisesthatstaffconcernsaboutdisclosureofsexualandotherabusearenotarationalefor avoidingsexualhealthinterventionsbutratherrequireariskassessmentandactionplan.

1.9 HEALTHY PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Toensureyoungpeoplefeelcomfortablediscussingandseekingadviceabouttheirsexualhealth(insertservicename)

willprovideawelcomingandinclusiveenvironmentthatisrespectfulandinclusiveofcultural,sexualandgenderdiversity.

1.10 CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION

Youngpeople,theirfamilies,carersandsignificantcommunitymembers,suchasAboriginalEldersandculturallyand

linguisticallydiversecommunityleaders,arekeypartnersinpromotingandsupportingsexualhealthandwellbeinginitiatives.

(Insertservicename)willprovidethesepartnerswithinformationabout,andopportunitiestocontributeto,the developmentofsexualhealthinitiatives.

1.11 LEARNING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

(Insertservicename)willsupportstafftoaccessresources,toolsandprofessionallearningtoenhancetheirknowledge andcapacitytodeliverandpromotesexualhealthprogramsandinformation.

1. WHO(2006a).Definingsexualhealth:Reportofatechnicalconsultationonsexualhealth,28–31January2002.Geneva,

WorldHealthOrganization.