What are my sexual rights?
Your sexual rights are derived from human rights. Human rights have been signed by most countries of the world. These also apply in Norway.
The right to make your own decisions about sex
You have the right to make your own decisions about your sexuality. This means that you also decide for yourself whether and how you want to live out your sexuality.
All sexual acts - regardless of the age at which they're carried out - must be voluntary; this means that no one can force you into carrying out sexual acts.
You are free to choose your partner.
No one is allowed to discriminate against you or attack you because of your sexuality.
The right to equal treatment
In Norway, everyone has the right to be treated equally. No one is allowed to discriminate against you because of your gender, origin, religion, world view, age, state of health (e.g. HIV positive, physically/mentally disabled) or sexual orientation.
The right to marry or not to marry
You have the right to decide for yourself whether you want to marry, whom you want to marry and when you want to marry. No one is allowed to force you to marry a particular person. You can also decide that you do not want to marry.
If you are married and no longer want to be, you can get divorced.
The right to family planning
You and your partner decide for yourself how many children you want to have. No one is allowed to force you to have children. Talk with your partner, so that you can make the decision together.
The right to be informed about contraceptives and to use them
You have the right to be informed about contraceptives. Children and youth get information about contraceptives through sex education at school, from the school health service or from the youth health centres. Adults can get information from their general practitioner. Moreover, "Sex and Samfunn" offers brochures and online resources on the subject.
You decide for yourself whether or not you want to use contraception. You might want to talk with your partner, so that you can make the decision together.
Rights for girls and women in the event of an unwanted pregnancy
In Norway, girls and women decide themselves if they want to have an abortion until the 12. week of pregnancy. It is possible to have an abortion after the 12. week of pregnancy as well, but then certain rules apply.
Counselling and support are available both before and after an abortion.
Forcing girls and women into having an abortion is not allowed.
The right to be protected from sexual violence
You alone are in charge of your body and you alone decide who can touch you and who cannot. This also means that you alone decide whether or not a partner, family member or people you know can touch you. If someone touches you against your will or forces you into carrying out sexual acts, this is sexual abuse. Talk to someone you trust about this.
If you do not know whom you can talk to, there are several places where you can get help. There is also an online guide for victims of violence. All genders, including boy/men, can be victims of sexual violence.
