Sensitive and Inclusive Practice

We asked what might stop you from keeping sexual health on the agenda in your conversations with young people. Your key worry was that you might re-traumatise those who had experienced abuse, especially sexual abuse.

How do we balance this legitimate concern with a young person’s need to have a reliable adult to talk to about healthy sex and relationships?

Some communities have experienced significant trauma – through discrimination, racism and ableism. It’s these children and young people that are over-represented in our OOHC system. We have sought the advice of experts on supporting young people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, young people with intellectual disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ young people.

This advice is not designed to treat symptoms but to more safely and inclusively initiate conversations.

Resources