We, the undersigned, call on the Northern Territory Government to immediately review and change to the laws on mandatory reporting of sexual activity based on age.

We are deeply concerned that these laws:

Deny young Territorians the right to freely access health care and their right to privacy;

Take away young people’s ability to trust and confide in family, friends, teachers and health professionals;

Put young Territorians more at risk of harm and abuse by preventing them from freely accessing health care and support;

Fail to acknowledge that some young people are sexually active and therefore require medical care and advice in relation to that activity; and

That young people have the right to self-determination, autonomy and privacy, to the extent that they are not subject to harm or exploitation.

In the interim, we call on the NT Government to put in place an immediate moratorium on the laws providing for the mandatory reporting of sexual activity based on age. This is vital to allow young Territorians access to health care and support while sections 15 and 26 of the Care and Protection of Young People Act 2007 (NT) are under review.