Where Can I Go For More Info On Sex & The Law?
If you are 13, 14 or 15 and thinking about having sex, you might be worried about the law. If you are, don’t think that a professional person will be forced to report you to the police – they won’t be. Usually they will want to give you health advice and support you need to make sure you’re safe and happy with the situation. If you contact one of the places listed below, that’s exactly what they’ll do.
Healthy Respect run drop-ins for young people in Edinburgh and the Lothians which provide free confidential advice, support and information about general and sexual health. You can find out where your nearest drop-in is by visiting the address book in this website.
ChildLine gives confidential information and support. You can contact them by telephone for free on 0800 1111.
You can also get more information on your rights, responsibilities and the law from:
The Scottish Child Law Centre are experts in the law and your rights if you are under 18. Call them free on 0800 328 8970, email enquiries@sclc.org.uk or go to their website at www.sclc.org.uk/kzhome.htm. You can also text SCLC and your question and they will send you a reply straight to your mobile, text 'SCLC' and your question to 80800
Article 12 is an organisation in Scotland for young people who are interested in their rights. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the international law, which states what rights you have from birth until you are 18 years old. For a summary of the Convention go to http://www.unicef.org.uk/youthvoice/rights.asp
Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People makes sure that adults keep the promises made to children and young people in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. There’s more at the website: http://www.sccyp.org.uk/webpages/cypr.php
What does the law say?
How does confidentiality work?