The age at which a young person can enter into a sexual relationship varies according to a number of factors. The applicable legal principles were introduced into the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) ("Crimes Act (Vic)") by the Crimes (Sexual Offences) Act 1980 (Vic). The stated aims of this Act include:

For more detail on the operation of these provisions, see: Chapter 4*3 Sexual Offences.

The basic principles are:

Acts of sexual penetration are prohibited between parents and children, other lineal descendants or step-children and between brothers and sisters and half brothers and sisters. For a more detailed discussion of this, see: "Incest" in Chapter 4*3 Sexual Offences.

Protection by way of intervention orders is available for young people who are survivors of incest or family violence, which can be obtained under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic). Applications for these orders can be made to the Registrar at the local Magistrates' Court or at the Children's Court. The Magistrate is empowered to make an interim order prohibiting the offender from entering the house or vicinity from the date the application is made.

The Act provides that children over the ages of 14 can apply, with the leave of the court, for an intervention order on their own behalf against a parent or other family member. A third party can apply, with the leave of the court, without parental consent and on behalf of a child for an intervention order.

A police officer can make an application for an interim order by telephone or fax to a Magistrate after business hours or during the weekend (s.44). (See also: Chapter 5*4 Family Violence.)

Young women, in particular, should be aware of the risk of a protection application (see: "Welfare cases", in Chapter 6*2 The Children's Court) being taken out by DHS where they are found in a situation where incest has occurred. Mandatory reporting requirements oblige some professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses, the police and teachers) to report sexual and physical abuse of children. Further information about the legal requirements of reporting child abuse may be obtained from Victoria Legal Aid or a community legal centre (see: Chapter 2*4 Advice Directory, for contact details).

Survivors of incest or family violence are entitled (if the offence has been reported to the police) to make application for compensation under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996 (Vic) (see: Chapters 18*4 Assistance for Victims of Crime, and 4*3 Sexual Offences).

Under the Prostitution Control Act 1994 (Vic), it is an offence to cause or induce anyone under 18 to take part in prostitution, whether as a prostitute or as a client.

It is also an offence to receive payment knowing that it has been derived directly or indirectly from sexual services provided by a child or to enter into, or offer to enter into, an agreement for a child to provide sexual services in return for payment or in exchange for drugs (ss.5, 6, 7 & 10).

Under the Act, a young person may be charged with soliciting for the purposes of prostitution in a public place or being found in an unlicensed brothel (ss.13 & 15).