Everyone has a body and every body experiences intimacy, pleasure, connection and care. This year’s Sexual Health Day (September 4) theme, ‘Every Body‘, highlights that sexual and reproductive health, rights, justice and pleasure belong in every body, without exception.
At La Trobe, we care about the sexual and reproductive health of our community, and we also recognise that sexual and reproductive health is influenced by social, political and economic environments.
La Trobe provides access to sexual and reproductive health promoting measures, information and even physical resources like period products and condoms to support health justice and promote sexual and reproductive health for every body.
5 sexual and reproductive health supports every body can access at La Trobe:
- Grab a copy of Volume 2 of La Trobe’s sexual and reproductive health magazine, The Hook Up
You’ll find it in wellbeing areas and libraries across campuses from early September, and you can play some custom board games with your friends or a stranger at Bundoora in the Agora at 11am-2pm on Thursday September 10 while picking up your copy.
- Get an STI test from a GP at La Trobe Medical Centre at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus (or your local GP)
While it can feel awkward to ask for one, it’s a common way that people manage their sexual and reproductive health. STI tests are usually partially covered by Medicare, or you can claim back on International Medical Insurance. Remember – the most common symptom of an STI is no symptom at all – get a test for reassurance.
- Find free menstrual products provided by Share the Dignity on every campus in selected bathrooms
On the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus, you can find a Share the Dignity vending machine in the all-gender bathroom on the outer-east wall of the library. You can also find menstrual products at the Food Bank on the Melbourne (Bundoora campus) and Food Pantry on other campuses and in the multi-purpose rooms around your campus.
- Find free condoms in food banks and food pantries, as well as in some multi-purpose rooms around your campus.
- Parenting rooms including breastfeeding facilities can be found on every La Trobe campus – find your closest one here: Parenting room locations
Find out more about health promotion and respectful relationships at La Trobe University:
Off campus, you could:
- Find one of hundreds of free menstrual product machines all over Victoria, usually located in community spaces, like libraries, museums and train stations. Find your closest here: Free pads and tampons locations
- Access a free HIV Self-Test Kit provided by Thorne Harbour. Find out more here: HIV testing
Internal supports
- Safer Community: Contact Safer Community if witness or experience unacceptable behaviour
- Wellbeing Services provides free and confidential, personal and emotional support for students, including counselling.
- LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing: Dedicated support for the La Trobe LGBTIQA+ community
- Use our La Trobe University Crisis Line for Out-of-Hours Mental Health and Wellbeing Support. Phone 1300 146 307 or text 0488 884 100. This service operates 5pm-9am on weekdays and 24 hours during weekends and public holidays.
External supports
- Sexual Assault Crisis line: 1800 806 292 /*1800 RESPECT (Australia) 1800 737 732
- Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) provides counselling for survivors of sexual assault.
- Sexual health and LGBTQIA+ specific information