Sexual counselling in Geelong can boost knowledge and empower people

Social media is a great thing when it’s used responsibly. It can be fun, informative, link people together and get conversations started.

But it’s also imperative that people treat it responsibly. If it’s abused, then the consequences can be devastating.

As an experienced psychologist offering sexual counselling services in Geelong, I believe it’s important that teenagers, parents and young adults understand the implications of using social media, especially the laws behind texting and sexting, so they can be empowered and protected.

Sexting, where people use their mobile phone or the internet to send sexual, indecent or nude photos, can add excitement to a relationship. But in some circumstances it’s a crime that leaves people open to prosecution and even jail.

The question is, when is it okay? And when is it not? It’s no wonder it’s a topic that worries parents, as their teenagers throw themselves into the world of social media. And it’s also not surprising that this form of communication raises concerns among youth too.

Sometimes talking to a sexual counselling professional in Geelong is a sensible option for young people wanting answers, guidance and a sense of understanding on how they feel about relationships, trust, appropriate behaviour and sexuality.

Professional, objective and non-judgemental counselling provides clients with a comfortable platform to learn and work on strategies to aid their path through a period of rapid development, exploration and self-discovery, in a world gripped by technology.

Age of consent is another topic with serious implications. While it’s normal for youth to begin experimenting with sexuality, there are strict laws that govern the age of consent in Victoria. For example, if you are between the ages of 12 and 15, it’s illegal for a person to touch you sexually, have sex with you or carry out a sexual act in front of you if they are more than two years your senior. That’s even with your consent. But it’s important to note that if the person honestly thought you were 16 or there was an age gap of less than two years, then it’s not a crime.

Parents, desperate to support their sons and daughters as they navigate issues including social media and sexuality, can also benefit from counselling. The more information they have, the better equipped they will be to respond to any questions and provide support and guidance.

While there are laws in Victoria governing age of consent to protect young people from exploitation, there are also strict laws applying to sexting and child pornography. For instance, did you know that:

• A person who deliberately or maliciously spreads images of someone else that are sexual in nature, can face prosecution and possible jail.
• People also risk prosecution and jail if they threaten to send intimate images of another person.
• This veto (in the above two points) covers images of adults who have not given their consent to distribution as well as any images of people under 18 years old.
• If images are of a person under 18, it can fall under the umbrella of child pornography or even classed as an indecent act.
• Non-exploitative and consensual sexting by people under 18 does not lead to prosecution.
• It’s not illegal to send an intimate image of yourself, even if you are under 18.
• People risk prosecution for child-pornography possession if they have images that show someone who is, or appears to be, under 18 posing in an indecent sexual matter or taking part in sexual activity.
• But it’s not an offence of child pornography if you are under 18 years and are in an intimate photo with another person or people who are no more than two years younger than you. The photo must not reveal a serious criminal act taking place.

Sexual counselling can help people – from teens to adults – better understand themselves and the world around them. It can help them deal with experiences, relationships and issues including appropriate boundaries and the implications of taking certain actions.

Please contact me at Helen Handsjuk Psychology if you feel that sexual counselling in Geelong can help you.