Teen sex advice pressure growing

Teenagers are entitled to the same confidentiality as adults

Pressure is growing on ministers not to weaken confidentiality laws over sex advice given to children.

The government is consulting on whether it should require professionals to tell social services or police about under age sex to improve child protection.

Teenagers are entitled to the same confidentiality as adults except when they are at risk of serious harm.

Groups representing teachers, health experts, youth workers and human rights bodies have joined to oppose the plan.

The move comes after a survey last week by sexual health charity Brook found the proposals would deter youngsters from seeking help.

It is in our view probable that such a policy will deter many young people from asking for help altogether Joint statement

The 20 organisations, including the Royal College of GPs, Independent Schools Council, Terrence Higgins Trust and Liberty, said the proposals risked breaking the bond of trust between young people and professionals.

In a joint statement, they said: "Practitioners are aware that where there is a serious risk of harm to a child or young person, confidentiality can be breached even without consent.

"Nevertheless, there is an underlying presumption of confidentiality in all other circumstances which we are opposed to seeing weakened because it was introduced for sound reasons which are still persuasive.

"The removal from adolescent sexual health services of the strong bias towards confidentiality is likely to delay the stage at which young people seek professional advice, or cause them to misrepresent their age and circumstances.

Deter

"Indeed, it is in our view probable that such a policy will deter many young people from asking for help altogether."

The Department for Education and Skills consultation, Working Together to Safeguard Children, has been drawn up in response to recommendations made in the inquiry into the Soham murders.

It could affect the guidelines to teachers, doctors, district nurses and youth workers who are told about under age sex.

The Department for Education and Skills said the consultation was still on-going.

But added the aim of the proposals was to "better safeguard children and young people from harm".

"Guidance in this area was recommended by Sir Michael Bichard in his report on the Soham murders. We welcome views on this issue."