Sexual Wellbeing

This content is largely drawn from the campaign ran by Noah Yeates (VP-CEDPS 2021-22) and Wiktoria Swoboda (VP-CHMLS 2021-23) – Sex@Brunel - take a look for more information.

safe sex

Starting university can be exciting, it’s often the first time living independently, managing your own life and freedom. It is also a time where you explore new relationships and sexual experiences, so it is really important to make sure you take care of your physical and mental wellbeing by exercising caution and making sure sex is safe.

If you're sexually active it's important to :

• Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• Use contraception to protect yourself from STIs and unplanned pregnancy (if applicable)

• Start talking about sexual health with your partner(s) and GP

• Learn about sexual health;  NHS pages cover common Qs about STIs, preganancy and contraception

• Get tested regularly and make use of local services such as the Brunel Medical Centre  and Hillingdon Sexual Health Clinic which offer free, confidential STI testing kits and contraception

what is consent?

Consent is the noncoerced, freely given agreement between two or more people. This means each and every individual needs to be sober, of age, and not under threat of violence or manipulation to be able to give consent. Someone doesn’t consent to sexual activity if they:

• Say 'no'

• Seem unsure or upset, stay quiet, move away or don't respond

• Are asleep, unconscious, drunk, drugged or on drugs

• Are pressured, manipulated, tricked or scared into saying 'yes'

• Are too young or vulnerable to have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.

Just as consent can be given, it can also be taken away at any moment. A ‘yes’ now isn't an automatic agreement to the future, near or far, or different acts, no matter how similar.

It's always best to err on the side of caution and not use body language or 'reading between the lines.

Sexual Assault

Almost two thirds (62%) of students and graduates have experienced sexual violence at UK universities.

A sexual assault is any sexual act that a person did not consent to or is forced into against their will.

It's a form of sexual violence and includes rape (an assault involving penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth), or other sexual offences, such as groping, forced kissing, child sexual abuse, or the torture of a person in a sexual manner. Sexual violence or assault can happen to anyone of any age.

70% of female students, 26% of male students, 61% of non-binary students, and 73% of disabled students and recent graduates have experienced sexual assault

Where to go for help

If you've experienced SA or you think something may have happened but you are unsure, please reach out for support via the University or specialist support services listed below. It is vital to seek support for any form of SA you (or someone you know) has experienced; it is a significant and serious crime which impacts you psychologically, and physically, requiring sensitive and specialist help.