Issues

Risky behaviours, BBVs (blood-borne viruses) and STIs (sexually transmissible infections)

What’s alcohol got to do with BBVs and STIs?

• People may not always make the best decisions when they are intoxicated. This may include decisions about having sex, or getting a tattoo or piercing. All these behaviours can lead to BBVs if not done safely.
• Being intoxicated can make people vulnerable – being more relaxed and uninhibited or perhaps less aware of the decisions being made.
• People who are intoxicated run the risk of not using safe sex equipment properly, if at all.

What can you do?

• Make it your choice – it’s better to make an informed decision ahead of time about whether or not to have sex and how you are going to talk about it (how to say no or how to talk about safe sex, depending on what you decide). Thinking about these things ahead of time makes it easier to stick to your decision even if you are intoxicated.

• Be prepared – if there is any chance that sex might happen, take the necessary precautions. Take the time to learn how to put a condom on correctly (there is a knack, and you might not want to learn new tricks while intoxicated) and make sure you carry condoms and a water based lube. 

• If you know you don’t want to have sex and think the question might come up, think ahead about how you are going to talk about it – it can be an awkward discussion, so be clear on what you want to say ahead of time.

• Be cautious – being intoxicated can put you at greater risk of sexual assault. Stay with friends, tell friends if you are leaving the group and where you are going (and listen to them if they tell you not to!). Stay in well lit areas and avoid walking around alone or with someone new.
 
For more information about staying safe, being prepared and keeping cautious, visit www.getthefacts.health.wa.gov.au and www.leavers.wa.gov.au   

What can parents do?

First of all, don’t panic! Given the right information and support, young people are more likely to make safer decisions. You can help by being honest with your teenager, modelling responsible behaviour and making sure that they have accurate knowledge about the issues. This helps them to be empowered to make safer and more responsible decisions - and also to stick to them. You can support your teenager in many ways.

• Become informed – scare tactics went out a long time ago, and your teenager will respect your input more if it is based on facts. Click here to find out more about blood borne viruses and safe sex. You’ll also find information on BBV transmission, including via tattooing and piercings, and advice about talking to your teenager about sex.

• Provide a safe environment where your teenager will feel comfortable to discuss their feelings with you and explore the outcomes that different decisions can have. If you are not comfortable having these discussions with them, do you know of an adult they can talk to that you (and they) trust?

• Encourage your teenager to think about how they might handle their decision. For example, if they have decided not to have sex, how will they talk about their feelings with their partner? If they decide they do want to have sex, do they know how to access safe sex equipment, and how to use it properly?

• Provide accessible information for your teenager about risks and how to avoid them – you can order or download resources from www.safesexnoregrets.com.au or www.fpwa.org.au, or suggest that they check out these sites themselves if they want more information. 

Alcohol and your teenager

• When it comes to alcohol use, set an example yourself that you are happy for them to follow. When you drink responsibly your teenager will know the same is expected of them.

• Negotiate guidelines with your teenager for alcohol use in your family, explain your concerns and follow through with the consequences for not sticking to them. Click here for more information on how you can be a positive influence on your teenager’s drinking habits.

• Click here for information on your responsibilities when hosting a party for teenagers.