While discussing sex, relationships, and sexual health may sometimes be an uncomfortable conversation to have, it is important to be well informed and educated on these topics, especially in a university or college environment. UW has many resources and supports available to students and other community members to ensure safety for everyone on and off campus.
UW associate director of Clinical Services Tabitha Zindel discussed some of the most important aspects of sexual health that students should be aware of if they are planning on being sexually active. One important topic that should be brought up with a partner is the possibility of pregnancy, and if you are not planning to conceive, how you will be preventing pregnancy. An equally important topic that should also be openly discussed when deciding to be sexually active with someone is the possibility of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This conversation should involve how you plan on preventing STIs, for which Zindel suggests the use of condoms. Additionally, if you or your partner are sexually active with multiple individuals, it is important to get tested to ensure you have not contracted an STI. Zindel said that even if you do not have multiple partners and have been in a long-term monogamous relationship, you should still get tested regularly, even if you do not have any symptoms.
Pregnancy prevention and STI testing and prevention are all important parts of sexual health, but it can be confusing to know where to go to receive these services. Conveniently, UW’s Health Services provides all of these services to students and are available right on campus.
Condoms are available in bathrooms across campus and students are encouraged to help themselves. If students are looking for alternative or additional types of contraceptives, an appointment can be made at Health Services with a nurse practitioner or doctor to get access to items such as birth control patches and IUDs. If you are unsure of your options or don’t know what would work best for you, students can also make an initial appointment with a nurse to discuss contraception. Additionally, different types of contraception are covered under the student health care plan, although the amount of insurance coverage is dependent on the contraception type.
Students can get STI testing done at Health Services and can be treated by the providers on campus if needed. Zindel noted that students will not be able to be tested for STIs immediately after unprotected sex. “For the common [STIs], you have to wait a week or so before you can get tested — for it to actually be present. For the less common ones, like syphilis and HIV, those [have] longer incubation periods, so it could take several months before it actually shows up in the system,” Zindel explained. To make an appointment, students can currently either call, go in person or fill out a form for those who cannot call due to accessibility reasons. Additionally, Health Services is working to provide online booking services in the future, however there is no definitive timeline for this yet.
Understanding the physical aspect of sexual health is incredibly important, but other parts of sex and relationships must equally be discussed. The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) works to prevent sexual violence through education and responds to situations where someone might need help after experiencing sexual violence. SVPRO education coordinator Stacey Jacobs raised the importance that people know the SVPRO is not just for students on the main campus, but for all members of the UW community, including faculty and students at satellite campuses and students away on co-op as well. Anyone is encouraged to reach out to the office for support if they think they have experienced sexual violence. Jacobs also explained how it is common for people to not know whether what happened to them is “bad enough.” Everyone is encouraged to reach out to the office for support regardless of if they are sure the SVPRO is the right place to turn to, as the response coordinators at the office will put people in contact with the right support services.
For many students and other members of the UW community, reaching out to the SVPRO may seem scary or overwhelming. This is why Jacobs encourages students to disclose any type of harm to a friend or a trusted leader, if they feel comfortable, who can support you as you reach out to the SVPRO. “Sometimes just having that other person with you really does help you feel more safe and more comfortable… we really are encouraging students to support one another as well,” Jacobs said.
Another important aspect of sexual violence prevention that Jacobs explained, which is particularly important for students and especially in their first year, is understanding and being aware of the Red Zone. The Red Zone is the period between orientation week and Halloween where students are most likely to experience sexual violence. This is due to students being in a new and unfamiliar environment, an increased sense of nervousness, peer pressure, and potential first exposure to alcohol which makes students during this period particularly vulnerable. The SVPRO trains student leaders within the UW community on how to support students during this time so that first-year students can feel more comfortable and safe. Some things students can do themselves to increase their safety during the Red Zone is to go with a trusted group when venturing to a party or a bar and use substances responsibly, particularly if you are trying alcohol or drugs for the first time. Furthermore, if you see someone in an uncomfortable situation and feel that you can intervene safely then do so. More information on bystander training can be found on the SVPRO website listed below. Additionally, Jacobs mentioned how people are often brought up to fear strangers and that sexual violence will most likely be from a stranger on the street, however it is much more likely that harm will come from an acquaintance at a party or an ex-partner for example.
While there are many things that can be done to increase an individual’s safety, it is also important that the blame and responsibility is not all put on the victim as consent is a crucial part of safe sexual practices. Consent has to be voluntarily given, reversible, engaged, and clearly informed. Jacobs explained how if everyone practises consent throughout their interactions in the day, it will become more natural to give and receive it when in a sexual setting. For example, we can often find ourselves challenging people when they say no in our day to day interactions such as someone declining to go shopping as they have a lot of work to do but pushing them to accompany you anyway; accepting people’s consent or lack of consent in day to day interactions is a good way to build up the habit. Additionally, Jacobs discussed the importance of communication in giving consent. “Communication skills aren’t really taught often … [it] is really needed for consent, and we know that communication means both verbal and non-verbal.” Consent can be given and received using words, but be aware of how your partner is acting and check in with them if their actions speak otherwise.
If you are in need of support from the SVPRO, you can reach out to them by email at svpro@uwaterloo.ca or through the intake form on their website.
The SVPRO is not a crisis centre. If you need immediate help, please contact one of the crisis support services listed on the SVPRO website at uwaterloo.ca/sexual-violence-prevention-response-office.
If you are in need of immediate emergency assistance please call 911.
