Even if you are under the age of 18, you have rights related to your sexual health. For a comprehensive look at sex and sexual rights in Wisconsin, visit SexEtc.org.
Age of Consent In the eyes of the law, teenagers of certain ages cannot consent or agree to sex until they reach a specific age. This is called the “age of consent.” These laws are meant to protect minors from being manipulated or forced into sex with older people. In Wisconsin, you can legally consent to sexual intercourse when you become 18 years old. That means that if you engage in sexual behaviors prior to you or your partner becoming 18, both of you could be prosecuted for a number of different violations, and even face jail time.
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Minors can see a doctor confidentially (privately) at most clinics for these services without parental consent:
For pregnancy testing and birth control prescriptions specifically, a minor must go to a federally funded family planning clinic such as Planned Parenthood. (Title X, 42 C.F.R §59.5) In these clinics, all sexual health issues are confidential (kept private) unless the doctor has concern for abuse, child safety or exploitation, and then they would have to report it. (WI statute 48.981) If you are interested in either pregnancy testing or birth control, speak with your individual doctor to see if they provide these two services.
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