Acting on Sexual Feelings - SECCA National Sexuality and Your Rights

Acting on Sexual Feelings

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You have the right to touch your own body in your own place.

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To touch someone else’s body in a sexual way you need to know that: 
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The laws about the age of consent are different in each state and territory in Australia. The age of consent means the age you and someone else have to be for it to be legal for you to have sexual intercourse. Make sure you know what the law says about the age of consent where you live.

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The laws also say when sex may not be legal. This includes if:

The law says when someone is in a position of authority over you, like a teacher or boss, you must be 18 years of age and older to do sexual things with them. No matter how old you are, no one is allowed to force you to do sexual things. If you are the person with the authority then whoever you have sex with needs to be 18 years of age and older.

While it is legal for someone who is 18 years of age and older to do sexual things with someone in a position of authority over them, it may break other rules. For example the person in authority may lose their job. This is because relationships need to have equal power.

The age of is different in other parts of Australia and in other countries.

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People in your family are not allowed to do sexual things to you.

You are not allowed to do sexual things with anyone in your family.

The only people in the same family who are allowed to have with each other are people such as parents and their partners. They must only have sex in a place.

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Page last updated: January 30, 2024