Safe Sex and Healthy Relationships

Keeping yourself and your partner healthy is easy when you take the right steps. Here’s what you can do:

• Visit one of our Sexual Health Clinics for:

• Free condoms, dental dams, and to receive low-cost birth control

• Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• Vaccines for Hepatitis B and HPV

• Advice from a Public Health Nurse about staying safe

• Learn about other birth control options like diaphragms and spermicide from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)

Are you ready for sexual activity?

Deciding to be sexually active is a big choice. It’s important that:

• You feel ready and confident in your decision

• No one pressures or forces you into any kind of sexual activity, like kissing, touching, or intercourse

Not sure if you’re ready? Visit Am I Ready? from the SOGC to learn more.

What is consent, and how do you give and get it?

Consent means you and your partner both agree to what happens. Here’s what you should know:

• Your consent: Only say yes if you’re sure and feel safe

• Their consent: They also need to say yes and feel comfortable

Remember:

• If someone is asleep, drunk, or unable to think clearly, they cannot give consent.

• Consent isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a conversation. Keep checking in with each other. Watch for non-verbal cues, like body language or discomfort, to ensure both of you feel safe and respected.

How do you know if your relationship is healthy or unhealthy?

A healthy relationship makes you feel good about yourself, while an unhealthy one can make you feel bad or scared.

Signs of a healthy relationship:

• You can be yourself without feeling judged

• You and your partner treat each other with kindness and respect

• You both listen to each other and feel heard

• You make decisions together as equals

• You feel supported when you’re stressed or worried

Signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship:

• Your partner’s mood is unpredictable, and you’re scared of upsetting them

• One of you calls the other mean names or makes them feel worthless

• One of you embarrasses or puts the other down in front of people

• You or your partner pressures the other to do things they don’t want to, like drinking, drugs, or sex

• One of you tries to control the other or stops them from seeing friends and family

• There is physical abuse, like hitting, shoving, pulling hair, or throwing things

• There is sexual abuse, like forcing someone into sexual activities

Take the Healthy Relationships Quiz from Love is Respect to evaluate your relationship.

What should you do if you’ve been sexually assaulted?

Sexual assault is any sexual activity you didn’t agree to. This includes unwanted touching or being forced to do something sexual. Remember:

• It’s never your fault

• There is help available

Learn more on our page about Sexual Assault and Violence.

Who can I talk to about safe sex?

If you have questions or need support, reach out to our team:

• Email St. Thomas services

• Email Woodstock services

• Call a Public Health Nurse at 1-800-922-0096

We’re here to help—your information will always be kept confidential.