Sexual rights and responsibilities

People with a disability are entitled to the same rights as are enjoyed by every other citizen. It is the responsibility of service providers to enforce and protect these rights.

People have the right to:

• have their sexual needs and preferences accepted and treated with respect
• privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of their lives including their personal relationships
• a sexual relationship with another person if both are over the age of consent
• stop having sex with someone at any time
• get the following information in ways that they can understand:
  – social relationships and communication skills
  – sexual matters including contraception, masturbation, sexual hygiene, pregnancy and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases
  – social and legal responsibilities regarding sexual relationships
  – ways of avoiding exploitation and abuse
• marry or live with a partner of their choice and have children.

Principles of sexual responsibility

• Do not sexually harass another person
• Never pressure someone to have sex
• Respect your partner and their feelings
• Share responsibility for contraception with your partner
• Share with your partner the responsibility for maintaining yours and their sexual health
• Activities involving self-pleasuring should be conducted in private.
• If you are having sex, the following should apply:
  – sex should be for mutual pleasure, never used for punishment
  – never hurt someone you are having sex with
  – stop having sex with someone if they say ‘stop’.

Taken from You and Me: An education program about sex and sexuality after traumatic
brain injury (1999).