Safer Sex

You can have safer sex by getting and giving consent, getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and using proper sexual protection. Learn more in our safer sex poster, Safer Sex Doesn’t Need to Be So Hard.

Get tested and use protection

Visit or contact a Sexual Health Clinic at Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) for:

Free condoms, dental dams, lube and other low-cost birth control options
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) testing and education
Vaccinations for Hepatitis B or HPV
Sexual health information and education from a Public Health Nurse

Learn more about non-hormonal contraception like condoms, diaphragms and spermicide from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).

Decide if you are ready to be sexually active

It is your decision if you are ready for sex. You should never feel pressured by someone else to do any sort of sexual activity, including kissing or touching. Check out Am I Ready? from the SOGC.

Get and give consent

Consent is an active agreement between partners to participate in any sexual activity, including kissing, touching, oral sex, or sexual intercourse. You need to give your consent and you need to get your partner’s consent. Anyone who is drunk, high, unconscious or asleep cannot give legal consent.

Check in

Consent is an ongoing process. Check in with each other throughout your sexual activity to make sure you are both comfortable and want to continue. Just because someone consents to kissing does not mean that they consent to sexual touching or sexual intercourse. It is also important to look for non-verbal cues such as your partner turning away, moving your hands off an area, or freezing up.

Learn more

Visit What is Consent? from Love is Respect for more information.

Healthy and unhealthy relationships

Your relationships have a direct impact on your health and wellness.

Signs of a healthy relationship

You can be yourself and don’t feel pressure to change for your partner
You and your partner say good things to each other and about each other
You and your partner act supportive and listen to each other’s concerns
You and your partner trust each other to tell the truth and keep promises
You can be honest with each other and speak up if something is bothering you
You share power and both have an equal say in all aspects of your relationship
You and your partner support one another when either of you feels upset or worried

Signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship

Your partner is unpredictable and you don’t know what will make them upset
You or your partner calls the other person names, insults them or puts them down
You or your partner makes the other person feel bad in front of others
You or your partner pressures or forces the other person to do something they don’t want to do or aren’t ready for, including alcohol, drugs or sex
You or your partner tries to control the other person and/or keeps them away from family and friends
You or your partner physically abuses the other person by slapping, hitting, shoving, biting, hair pulling, throwing things, threatening them with a weapon, or holding them against their will
You or your partner sexually abuses the other person

Are you in a healthy relationship? Take the online quiz from Love and Respect.

Sexual assault

You have the right to say no to any form of sexual activity no matter who it is with. Any form of sexual touching or forced sexual activity without your consent is sexual assault. Learn more about Sexual Assault and Violence.

Contact our Sexual Health Team

For sexual health services at our St. Thomas site email sexualhealthstthomas@swpublichealth.ca
For sexual health services at our Woodstock site email sexualhealthwoodstock@swpublichealth.ca

Please do not share personal health information via email.

To speak with a Public Health Nurse on the Sexual Health Team call 1-800-922-0096.