The sexual behaviours of adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years involved with the juvenile justice system in Australia: A community-based survey.

Lorraine Yap,Jocelyn Jones,Alun Richards,Elizabeth Sullivan,Carla Meurk,Tony Butler,Basil Donovan,Ed Heffernan,Megan Steele,Christopher Fisher,Bianca Ton,Sally Nathan,Sophie Davison,Andrea Knittel

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243633

Abstract

To overcome key knowledge gaps in relation to justice involved and vulnerable young people and their sexual health and to compare this group with their peers from other youth health surveys in Australia to determine the extent of the issues. Young people, aged between 14 and 17 years, who had ever been or were currently involved with the criminal justice system were purposively sampled. The survey was anonymous and delivered using Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI). A total of 465 justice involved MeH-JOSH young people, aged between 14 and 17 years, participated in the study: 44% Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) and 37% not attending school. Of the total valid responses, 76% (n = 348) reported having ever had sex, with sexual initiation at a median age of 14 years. We compared these data with their peers in other Australian surveys and found that young people in our study had a higher engagement in sex and start having sex at a younger age, reporting more sexual partners at all ages. The sexual behaviours of young people involved in the justice system in this study suggest they may be at a greater risk for sexually transmissible infections than their age-matched peers in the general population. Policymakers should elevate them to a priority population for targeting sexual health services and health promotion.

Highlights

Of the total valid responses, 76% (n = 348) reported having ever had sex, with sexual initiation at a median age of 14 years. We compared these data with their peers in other Australian surveys and found that young people in our study had a higher engagement in sex and start having sex at a younger age, reporting more sexual partners at all ages
The sexual behaviours of young people involved in the justice system in this study suggest they may be at a greater risk for sexually transmissible infections than their age-matched peers in the general population
Young people involved with the justice system aged between 14–17 years are under-researched in relation to their sexual health in Australia and internationally

Summary

Introduction

Young people involved with the justice system aged between 14–17 years are under-researched in relation to their sexual health in Australia and internationally. They are neglected by sexual health programmes even though they are potentially one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Studies have suggested that drug addiction and mental health disorders that put youth at risk for offending may drive their tendency to engage in riskier sexual behaviours [5,6,7,8]. One study reported increased sexual risk behaviours among juvenile detainees compared to the general population [9]. Formal comparisons of young offenders with community populations and their sexual health and behaviours are extremely limited [10]

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Results

Conclusion