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Sex and Relationships

Sometimes, when you just want to check something out about sex and relationships, you’d prefer not have to ask anyone you know, including parents or mates.

 

There are lots of sites who can give you information, but if you want to talk to someone who won’t judge you and can offer you confidential information and advice:

• you can visit your local One Stop Shop in Hertfordshire and ask to speak to a Personal Adviser.
• or you can call the national  Sexwise phoneline on 0800 28 29 30 for free advice.

If you do decide to have sex, use protection because sex without a condom can result in pregnancy or an infection.

The law says you have to be 16 before you have sex and give your full consent to having sex. So even if you are over 16, don’t feel pressured into doing something you don’t feel ready for. It must be your decision and not something you regret afterwards, so if you can’t talk to your partner about how you feel and what you want or don’t want,  then perhaps it’s not the right time or the right person.

For more information on sex and contraception:

• Condoms - (free access to). The C card scheme is a confidential service for young people up to 25 years old across Hertfordshire. It provides easy access to free condoms and sexual health information through a range of outlets. For further information go to http://www.hpherts.nhs.uk/ccard
• Make sure you use condoms safely. Always check there is a kite mark and that they are not out of date, and only use with water based lubricants, not oils of any kind. If you are going abroad and think you might need condoms, it's safest to take some with you rather than buying them when you get there.
• Connexions Direct has a section on Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or visit the BBC's health pages for STI information
• RU Thinking - website about sex and relationships  for young people
• Gay/Lesbian or Bisexual – Need some advice?
• Chlamydia screening-Information in Hertfordshire
• http://www.tht.org.uk/  - This site offers a range of HIV and sexual health services throughout England, Scotland and Wales
• Information for young parents can be found in the attachments below.
• Hertsaid is a Hertfordshire based HIV and sexual health support charity, offering a range of information and support services to anyone affected or infected by HIV / AIDS. www.hertsaid.co.uk 
• The Crescent - Hertfordshire based charity who provide support and care for people with HIV and AIDS and for their friends and carers. The site also provides information about HIV and safer sex practices across Hertfordshire http://www.thecrescent.org.uk

 Support for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual young people in Herts

Support for abuse: 

Sexual assault is pressuring someone into having sex (this could include touching, kissing, fondling, oral sex or penetration). It can also include other forms of sexual harassment such as taking photos of someone in a sexual situation when they don’t want to be photographed or are not aware of it, including on a mobile phone. It also includes sending those photos to other people or posting them on websites.

If you have been sexually assaulted by someone you know (friend, partner) or a stranger - you are not to blame. Report it to the police or speak to the services listed below:

• Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Sunflower Suite) 0808 178 4448 - 24 hour helpline
• Herts Rape Crisis www.rapecrisisinherts.org.uk  01707 276512 Line open 7.30pm – 9.30pm Thursday evenings
• Hertfordshire Women’s Resource Centre 01438 742742 (for over 18s) Watford Women's Resource Centre 01923 816229
• Victim Support Hertfordshire Helpline 01707 354626
• Survivors UK Helpline (Men only) 0845 1221201 Mon, Tues and Thur 7.00pm - 10.00pm

 

Arm Against Cervical Cancer 

Aged 16 to 19? Left school? You can now have the HPV vaccination at your doctor’s surgery. Find out more here.

The Ultimate Guide : Young parents or parents to be

This guide, packed full of useful information, is aimed at all young parents up to the age of 19 years in Hertfordshire. It covers a wide range of services that you may need to use including antenatal, postnatal, health, housing, contraception, childcare, Youth Connexions, and many others. You'll also find information on subjects like managing on a budget, what to do if you are faced with debt and what benefits you might be entitled to claim. Top tips on a number of other topics from safety in the home to dealing with feelings of isolation and loneliness also provide you with quick thoughts and ideas that you may find useful.

Numbers U Need Booklet : 

This booklet, packed full of useful information, is brought to you by the Hertfordshire Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. It will help you find local services that you may need to access from time to time. This includes: where to access information and advice on sexual health and contraception in Hertfordshire and how to access counselling services.

Handy booklet full of useful information- see attachment below

Important extra information about abortions

This information is in additional to that in the Numbers U Need Booklet below.

Your doctor can arrange an abortion at either an NHS Hospital or with Marie Stopes International. This means that your treatment is funded through the NHS. You can arrange to use a recommended private clinic such as the ones listed below without your doctor being involved. However, the clinic would need to know where you live and who your doctor is in order to find out whether you can have this treatment free.  Otherwise you will be charged for the service.

• Marie Stopes International offers a drop-in pregnancy test at all of their branches at a cost of £5. There is a charge for all services if you are going privately such as emergency contraception and abortion. Advice and booking line 0845 300 8090. Visit www.mariestopes.org.uk/
• British Pregnancy Advisory Service offers advice on unwanted pregnancies, abortion, contraception, emergency contraception and pregnancy testing. Telephone 0845 730 4030 booking line only. Visit www.bpas.org.uk/
  

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