What is Consensual Sex?

The video below deals with consensual sex in a funny and enlightening way, courtesy of Emmeline May & Blue Seat Studio. The script for this video came from Rockstar Dinosaur Pirate Princess,  Animation – Rachel Brian, VO – Graham Wheeler

Sexual consent means to give permission or agree to have sexual intercourse with a person. It is crucial that both people give consent before they have sex.
It is important to be sure that the person you are with is happy to have sex and that they give their full consent because non-consensual sexual activity is against the law.

In Ireland, the age of consent is 17 years old for everyone. To pressure or force a person into a sexual situation is a crime. The consequence of rape/sexual assault for the offender is severe. Assuming someone wants to have sex is not enough proof of consent – you really have to ask. If the person cannot answer you back and cannot give you their consent, it is considered rape.
If a person agrees to have sex with you, it does not mean that they may want to have sex the next time.

How do I know if the person I am with is giving their consent?

“A person consents if they agree by choice, and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice” (Sexual Offences Act 2003).

The only real way of knowing if the person you are with is giving consent, is if they tell you. You could also ask them if they are consenting. This may involve asking the questions such as;

• Are you happy with this?
• Do you want to go further with this?
• Do you want to stop?
• Are you alright?
• Do you want to keep going?
• Will I stop?

You can also tell by their body language if they are giving their consent. The following are examples of a person who is NOT comfortable :

• Not responding to your touch
• Pushing you away
• Holding their arms tightly around their bodies
• Turning away from you or hiding their face
• Stiffening muscles

The following video is courtesy of DisrespectNoBody via YouTube

Getting out of the situation

If you find yourself in a situation where you are uncomfortable and think you may be in danger;

• Say you need to go to the toilet or,
• Pretend you are going to vomit

Once you are away from the situation, find a friend and explain what happened.

Age Of Consent: The Law

The law states that you must be 17 or over in order to give consent to have sex. It is the same for males and females. This means that if you have sex with a person who is under 17 and you are 17 or older, you can be prosecuted.
Please be mindful, there are different laws for males and females. The law does not see pregnancy as a punishable crime; however the male will be prosecuted. Click here for further information on this topic.
Please remember that just because you are 17 years old and can legally give consent, it DOES NOT mean you are ready to have sex.

Feeling Pressured

Saying “No” to sex or any sexual act is NOT you being a bore. You are standing up for yourself because you may not want to do something. You are putting your feelings first and not being a pushover. Do not allow others to tell you what to do.
If people really care, they will respect your decision.

The above video is courtesy of DisrespectNoBody via YouTube.

Intoxication and Sexual Consent

• When a person consumes alcohol or takes drugs, their ability to make decisions is affected.
• If a person has consumed alcohol or has used drugs they cannot consent to any sexual activity (i.e. from kissing to sex).
• Sexual activity with a person who is too intoxicated to know what is going on is rape
• Any non-consensual sexual activity is against the law

How to help:

A friend who may have been a victim of non-consensual sex:

• Believe them
• Stand by them
• Help them to get support from supports both in IT Sligo (such as the Student Health Service and Student Counselling Service) and locally in Sligo town (such as DVAS and the Rape Crisis Centre)

Where to get help:

• Student Health Services in IT Sligo
• Nurse – 071 91 55205
• Counsellor – 071 930 5463
• Sligo Leitrim Rape Crisis Centre – 071 917 1188
• Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (DVAS) Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan – 071 914 1515
• Sligo Garda Station – 071 91 57000
• The Samaritans – 116 123

• Rape Crisis Centre 24-Hour Helpline-1800 77 8888

• Donegal Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. 087 06 81 964 at any time. This is a direct line to SATU.

Early Sex – The Evidetel:0870681964nce

According to reports by the Crisis Pregnancy Programme;

• The majority of young people have sex for the first time at age 17 or older. 21% of girls and 30% of boys have sex before age 17.
• Girls and boys who had sex under age 17 were more likely to say that they regretted it, that it was not a natural follow-on in their relationship and that they were not in love with the person.
• Girls and boys who had sex under age 17 were also more likely to say that they never had sex with that person again.
• Girls who had sex under age 17 were over 70% more likely to have a crisis pregnancy in their lifetime.
• Boys and girls who had sex under age 17 were twice as likely to get a sexually transmitted infection in their lifetime.
• Young people who have sex before 17 are less likely to use contraception.
• In 2013, 1,381 teenage girls gave birth and became teenage parents.
  STIs are increasing and young people are not aware of how easy it is to get one.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) are infections/diseases that spread from person to person through sexual contact. This can range from kissing to sexual intercourse.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (S.T.I.) – What are they? Click here for more information.
For HSE information click here STI’s (PDF).

Booking Appointments

If you think that you may be suffering from any of the above conditions/infections/symptoms, please don’t hesitate to contact the Student Health Services;

Appointments can only be made by email studenthealthservices@nullitsligo.ie

To request a repeat prescription: click here

OUR REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS ONLINE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT, HOWEVER WE HOPE TO HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING SOON FOR OUR STUDENTS.