New and different experiences

Living in a regional or rural area often provides the best of both worlds. It can provide the opportunity to live in beautiful surrounds or to travel further afield for for work or pleasure.

Part of the travelling adventure is experiencing new and different things. Travelling may be a time when you live ‘on the edge’ a bit. It's often an opportunity to abandon the rules, routines and restrictions of our everyday lives. Sometimes you may do things you wouldn’t do back home. This sense of adventure may also mean you more likely to take increased risks. The sense of freedom you have, the anonymity, as well as the increased sexual opportunities can all play a role. Your usual decision-making processes may also be influenced by the use of alcohol and recreational drugs, the location you’re in and the people with you.

The freedom of travel, however, doesn’t mean freedom from consequences. STI and  HIV transmission can occur anywhere. Many HIV positive people in Australia believe that they acquired their infection when they were away from home. Different places you visit may have different sexual cultures and different ways of working out safe sex decisions.

Whether you are HIV positive or HIV negative You can not assume your sexual partner/s status. Remembering to take adequate supplies of condoms and lube  with you is an important factor in having protected sex with casual partners while you are away from home. Deciding beforehand to only have protected sex also helps in maintaining safe sexual behaviours while travelling.

More info

Contact: ACON Northern Rivers

Tel: (02) 6622 1555
Freecall: 1800 633 637

Email: northernrivers@acon.org.au