Sexual health - keeping our community safe, informed, and supported

In this article you’ll find information, support and practical advice about sexual health and consent.

At Oxford Brookes, we are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and wider community. We work with local and national partners to offer advice and resources to support you to make informed decisions about your sexual health.

Contraception

There are many forms of contraception available to help prevent STIs and pregnancy, and we recommend speaking to your GP or health professional about the best contraception for you.

Condoms are a common and effective form of contraception, which you can access for free:

• in the Brookes Union caring cupboard next to the Brookes Union reception on Headington Campus
• from the Oxfordshire Sexual Health Service with the Safety C-Card Scheme (if you are under 25).

You can also access free emergency contraception from:

• recommended pharmacies across Oxfordshire
• recommended pharmacies across Swindon
• sexual health clinics including the Oxfordshire Sexual Health Service emergency contraception
• most NHS walk-in centres and GP surgeries.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs are common and there are many different types which have varying symptoms - including no visible symptoms. Find out more about STIs and possible symptoms on the NHS website. The best way to be sure of your status and keep yourself and anyone you have sexual contact with safe, is to get tested regularly.

You can book an appointment or order a STI self-test kit for free from Oxfordshire Sexual Health Service. If you are in Swindon, you can book an STI test at an NHS sexual health clinic.

Pregnancy

If you are worried about an unplanned pregnancy, there is a range of support available to you, including:

• Student Welfare and Support Advice Team - for short-term emotional and practical support, including signposting to other services, with the aim of enabling you to manage the situation and move forward
• Brookes Union Advice Service - for free and confidential advice independent from the University
• Oxfordshire Sexual Health Service unplanned pregnancy - for a free pregnancy test and the opportunity to discuss your options confidentially with health professionals.

Consent matters

The University has worked with the sexual health charity, Brook, to provide our students and staff with a comprehensive sexual consent course, to help everyone have safer, more ethical and enjoyable sexual experiences.

The sexual consent course is mandatory for all students at Oxford Brookes, but you may choose to opt out if you are likely to find the content of the course difficult or upsetting. If you have any questions or concerns about the consent course, or you’d like to find out more, contact the Consent team at consent@brookes.ac.uk.

Brook also offer a range of useful information and advice on their website, covering topics including:

• pornography and staying safe online - what you should be aware of
• age gaps and power imbalances in relationships
• mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Independent Sexual Violence Adviser

Independent Sexual Violence Adviser, Tasha, is employed by Oxfordshire Survivor Space and funded by the University to exclusively support Oxford Brookes students who have experienced sexual violence. Tasha works alongside, but independently of, the University's Welfare team within Student Support Services.

You can contact Tasha via email at BrookesUniISVA@survivorspace.org.uk.

Brookes Union advice and resources

The sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust, will be in Union Square, John Henry Brookes Building, Headington Campus on Wednesday 24 September to promote sexual health and offer on-site STI testing for students.

Brookes Union will also be running its Sexual Health and Guidance Week from 13 to 20 October, which aims to educate and empower students to make informed decisions about their sexual health and relationships, and reduce the stigma surrounding these topics. There will be a series of outreach stalls, more on-site STI testing and fun educational activities taking place across our campuses, so keep an eye on the Brookes Union website for information about what’s planned in the coming weeks.

Find further resources and information about sexual health and wellbeing on the Brookes Union advice webpages.