It's not always easy to talk about things like sex or drug use, especially not with your family or within your community.
However, everybody needs to know how to protect themselves from things like as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis or sexually-transmissible infections (STI). This information can also help you protect your partners and your friends.
Get informed
Protect yourself
Want to get tested?
Same-sex attraction
Get informed
STI (sexually-transmissible infections) can be passed on from one person to another through sexual contact.
STI commonly affect the genitals. The most common STI include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital warts and herpes.
HIV can also be passed on by unprotected sexual contact and by blood-to-blood contact. Hepatitis C is passed on by blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles or tattoo equipment.
More about HIV/AIDS
More about hepatitis
More about STI
Protect yourself
The best thing you can do to keep from getting an STI is to always use a condom during sexual activity. You should also avoid sharing needles or other piercing or tattooing equipment.
How men can protect themselves
How women can protect themselves
Want to get tested?
It's easy, painless and free to get tested. Just drop into your nearest community health centre or see your local doctor.
Even better, you can go to the services below. They are all free and confidential - give them a call, visit their website or just drop in and see what they have to offer.
Young People's Health Service
Days: Mon-Fri
Time: 12pm-5pm
Ph: (03) 9611 2409
Web: www.frontyard.org
Melbourne Sexual Health
Days : Mon-Thur
Time: 8.40am-5pm. Fridays from 1.10pm-5pm
By appointment only: Thur: 5pm-7pm
Ph: (03) 9347 0244
Free call: 1800 032 017
Web: www.mshc.org.au
The Action Centre
Days: Mon-Fri
Time: 10am-6pm
Ph: (03) 9654 4766
Free call: 1800 013 952
Web: www.fpv.org.au
Living Room
Days: Mon-Fri
Time: 12pm-5pm
Ph: (03) 9662 4488
Free call: 1800 440 188
Web: www.fpv.org.au
Same-sex attraction
In every country in the world, there are men who are attracted to other men, and women who are attracted to other women. Some people disapprove of same-sex relationships or believe that they don't exist within their community.
In Australia, same-sex relationships are legal and they are considered normal and healthy.
Here's some info on men attracted to men
Here's some info on women attracted to women
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