Tips for Teens

• Think about what you want before you get into a sexual situation and communicate clearly.  If you’re not sure what your date wants, ask.
• Be open and honest.  Tell your date “yes” or “no”  and clearly give consent to sexual activity you want to engage in.
• Be assertive.  Your feelings are valid and you have the right to express them.  Think about what you really want and say it.
• If your date doesn’t tell you what sexual behavior they want to engage in, stop and ask.  Don’t continue until you hear a clear and confident “yes.”
• Respect “yes” and “no.”  Stop if you hear “no” and have fun if you hear “yes.”  As sexual intimacy increases, continue communicating with your date.
• Trust your instincts and feelings.  If you feel uncomfortable, stop and try to get out of the situation or away from the person and to a public place.
• Be aware alcohol and drugs make you more vulnerable and sexual behavior risky.  Be sexual when you and your date are sober.
• Make a scene, a few minutes of embarrassment is worth feeling safe.

Signs of a healthy/positive relationship

A healthy/positive relationship depends on key elements that clearly express who we are and how we want to be treated in the relationship. It’s important that we learn to identify a healthy/positive relationship from a harmful one.