If you're under 16 and want contraception, a termination of pregnancy or tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the professional won't tell your parents or carer as long as they feel that you are not at risk of significant harm and that you fully understand the information given to you. They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents or carers, but they won't make you.You have the same rights to confidentiality as an adult. If they think you are at significant risk other professionals may need to be contacted to ensure you are safe, such as a social worker or the police. If this happens you will be made aware of that further contact and your parents may be informed.

If a person has sex (including oral sex or mutual masturbation) with someone under the age of 18, over whom they have a position of trust then this is an offence and could be punished with a prison sentence. A 'position of trust' means that they are a family member (they have parental rights or they are treated as a member of the family), they look after that person in a residential home or hospital or they are a teacher, trainer or youth worker.

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 rape is defined as "penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth by the penis without consent" however, there is a range of sexual assault and abuse which does not fit with this legal definition of rape. Assault is defined as “penetration of the vagina or anus of another person with a part of the body or anything else”. When someone sexually touches another person without their permission, this is known as sexual assault and is also punishable by a prison sentence. Rape or sexual assault by someone you know is just as serious as rape by a stranger. If someone forces you to have sex, whatever their relationship to you, then they have committed rape.

You must give your consent every time you have sex or engage in sexual activity, if someone tries to have sex without your consent, this is classes as rape or sexual assault depending on the activity. If a person is unable to give their consent at the time because they are under the influence of drink or drugs then a rape has taken place. You cannot give your consent if you are unconscious, asleep, threatened with violence or coerced in some way (eg blackmailed). If somebody says 'no' that must be respected.

For more information go to the webpage consentiseverything

Domestic abuse, whether physical or verbal, is assault. Domestic abuse can come from partners or ex-partners and can include physical, sexual or mental and emotional abuse.

• Physical abuse can be by assault and physical attacks.
• Sexual abuse includes acts which degrade and humiliate people and that take place against their will, including rape. 
• Mental and emotional abuse can include threats, verbal abuse, racial abuse, controlling behaviour such as isolation from family or friends. 

For further help and advice, visit gov.uk/report-domestic-abuse. If you are in immediate danger call 999.

It is possible to be prosecuted for passing on certain infections HIV. If an HIV positive individual has unprotected sex with a partner who is unaware of their HIV status and HIV is passed on this is called “reckless transmission”. There have been successful prosecutions. It is therefore important to be able to discuss your HIV status with partners to protect both yourself and your partner. HSV the transmission of Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 has also been criminalised.There has been 1 successful prosecution. Again this is where a partner is unaware of the infection and the virus is passed on. It is important where possible to be able to discuss your HSV 2 diagnosis with partners.