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The Children Act 19891 defines a child as “a person who has not yet reached 18 years of age.” In England, Wales, and Scotland the present age of consent for heterosexual and homosexual sex is 16 years and in Northern Ireland it is 17 years. The proportion of young people who report heterosexual intercourse before the age of 16 years increased in the 1990s compared with the previous decade.2
Although children under 16 years may be involved in consensual sexual activity other issues need to be considered including:
Risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Past and continuing sexual abuse/assault
Undiagnosed mental health problems including self harm, eating disorders, alcohol and substance misuse
Risk of or involvement in prostitution/commercial sex work
Vulnerability of those living away from home/accommodated by the local authority
Vulnerability of those with physical and/or learning disabilities irrespective of age.
In these guidelines, children under the age of 18 years will be referred to as “young people.” The guidelines are primarily directed at the management and care of young people under the age of 16 years but those aged over 16 years may require the same consideration of the factors listed above.
PRINCIPLES OF CARE (C)
All young people accessing the genitourinary medicine (GUM) service should:
Expect confidentiality (see section on confidentiality)
Have trust and confidence in the service
Be consulted and have choices
Remain in control of the process, wherever possible
Be seen in the most appropriate site for optimal care according to local facilities, resources, demand, and trust regulations.
Issues to be considered include:
Separate “young people clinics” in GUM clinics
Separate waiting areas for young people in main GUM clinics
Skills of staff for the management of young people
Laboratory access
Flexibility and collaboration between hospital departments, including establishing appropriate guidelines between microbiology, paediatric, GUM and family …
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