This page discusses the important issue of safe sex and tries to answer some common questions about this subject.
Emergency Contraception: Have you had unprotected sex in the last 72 hours? Worried you might be pregnant? If so click here
What is Safe Sex? [BACK TO MENU]
Learning to practice safe sex leaves you free to enjoy sex without putting yourself at risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or becoming pregnant. There are lots of sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis, gonorrhoea, genital warts and pubic lice (crabs). Many of these can be very serious
One in ten sexually active people under 25 will have chlamydia - but most won't even know they have it. Want to know more?
Visit www.checkyourbits.org |
Contraception
Making choices about contraception and sexual health is important not just for your physical health, but also for your general well-being. Whatever you decide, you may need to talk to someone about contraception and protection. There are lots of places that can help and you might also be able to get free condoms [find out more here].
Be safe - always use a condom
Some forms of contraception such as the birth control pill or 'the pill' can stop you becoming pregnant but offer no protection at all against sexually transmitted diseases.
If you have unprotected sex with someone who is not a long term partner you should ALWAYS use a condom. Condoms can help protect you against many sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis and gonorrhoea. However condoms cannot protect you against genital warts and pubic lice (crabs).
A few facts about condoms:-
- Condoms have none of the medical side effects of the birth control pill
- Condoms are only needed when you have sex, unlike many
 contraceptives, which may require you to take them all the time
- Condoms are widely available in chemists, supermarkets, pubs and clubs
- Condoms are available in various shapes, colours, flavours, textures and sizes and can heighten the fun of making love
- Condoms can help protect women from cancer of the cervix
- Condoms make sex less messy
- Condoms are very easy to use and to dispose of
- Condoms WILL NOT protect against certain sexually transmitted diseases such as genital warts and pubic lice (crabs).
Avoid Casual Sex [BACK TO MENU]
There are many reasons why it might be wise to avoid having casual sex with someone who is not a regular partner, but perhaps the main reason is the fact that the more partners you have, the greater your risk of getting an infection.
If you do have sex with someone who is not your regular partner you should always use a condom. Make sure you train yourself to always use a condom, especially after drinking alcohol. Alcohol can make you forget all about safe sex and this is when accidents happen.
Different people may give different advice, so always contact your doctor or family planning clinic to discuss anything you are worried or unsure about.
There are many useful websites
and telephone numbers below
The Law and Sex (age of consent) [BACK TO MENU]
 Many teenagers think that adults are always making a big deal about people having underage sex. Some young people think that if they feel ready to have sex and they use protection, it has nothing to do with anyone else. This is not the case, and it is important that you know THE FACTS and THE LAW. To find out more visit www.avert.org/teensex.htm.
What is the age of consent?
The age of consent is the age at which the law says you are old enough to make your own decision about whether to have sex or not. In the UK the law says that both partners must be sixteen or over. This applies whether you're heterosexual, gay or lesbian. Before you reach this age, you can't legally have sex with anyone, however old they are.
But Our Parents Say it's OK. . .
That doesn't make any difference. You can't get around the laws for smoking, drinking or driving because your parents say it's OK, and it's the same with this. The age of consent laws always apply, whether you're in love, if you've been together for ages or even if you've already had sex.
What is 'Statutory Rape'?
If someone who is over the age of consent has sex with someone who is under the age of sixteen they can be charged with the crime of 'statutory rape'. It is important that you understand that it does not matter if both people agreed to have sex. If one person was under the age of sixteen the law sees it as statutory rape.
And What is Sexual Abuse?
This is when a person under the age of consent is pressured into any type of sexual contact that they do not want. If you know anyone who is being treated in this way, you should tell an adult or your Connexions Personal Adviser.
Where to Get Help and More Information [BACK TO MENU]
Below are some contact numbers and website links to organisations that can offer support, information and advice.
Emergency Contraception Helpline: For confidential advice and to find out the opening times of your nearest Family Planning Clinic or Casualty for emergency contraception (up to 72 hours after sex) call FREE on 0800 494847.
To visit our Emergency Contraception page Click here
C-Card is a scheme to enable young people under 25 to get a card entitling them to FREE condoms from various outlets across Newcastle and North Tyneside. For your nearest outlet call C-Card FREE on 0800 28 29 30 or click here to view a list.
 likeitis tells you about contraception and emergency contraception; using condoms to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections; what really happens during sex; teenage pregnancy: what your options are; how to cope with puberty, peer pressure and bullying. Find out about your sexuality; information about periods. Our help and advice section also gives links to other information. Visit www.likeitis.org.uk.
 Brook Advisory Centres - commonly known just as Brook, are the only national voluntary sector provider of free and confidential sexual health advice and services specifically for young people under 25.
Phone 0800 0185 023 for details of nearest Brook clinic offering confidential advice for young people or visit www.Brook.org.uk.
 The Site is an excellent website which offers a wide range of help, advice and information. TheSite.org covers issues such as Sex and Relationships, Drugs and Alcohol, Health, Home, Law and Money, Travel and Free Time, Work and Study. Visit www.thesite.org.
 Mind Body and Soul gives health information for young people aged 14-16 in a fun and interesting way. Visit their website at www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk.
 Contraception Education Promotes sexual health awareness amongst young people, protects their sexual health and helps build confidence and assertiveness in sexual choices. Visit their website at www.contraceptioneducation.co.uk.
 Sexwise: A FREE helpline for young people aged between 12 and 18 on matters to do with sexual health and sexuality including contraception, abortion, relationships and pregnancy. Call 0800 28 29 30 from 7am – midnight, seven days a week from anywhere in the UK. You can also visit www.ruthinking.co.uk.
 Family Planning Association: Fpa’s nationwide helplines are open Monday to Friday and provide confidential information and advice on contraception and sexual and reproductive health.
You can also find your nearest family planning clinic or sexual health clinic and find out about other sexual health services anywhere in the UK.
Whatever your individual situation, you can talk it through with their fully trained and experienced helpline staff in complete confidence. Call 0845 310 1334 from 9am till 6pm. You can also visit them at www.fpa.org.uk.
 NHS Direct operates a 24-hour nurse advice and health information service, providing confidential information on what to do if your feel ill, health conditions, local healthcare services, self help and support organisations including information about contraception which is FREE through the NHS. Visit their web site at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or LOCALL 0845 4647.
 Jonny Longlife provides information and advice about a healthier lifestyle. Whether you want advice on substance abuse, sex education, fitness facilities or bullying, this site can help or point you in the right direction. Visit the Jonny Longlife website at www.jonnylonglife.com.
 The British Pregnancy Advisory Service: Are you worried you might be pregnant? Are you pregnant and don't know what to do? Are you thinking about an abortion? For confidential help and advice call BPAS on 0845 730 40 30 or visit them at www.bpas.org.
 Streetwise are a great local source of help. Streetwise work in partnership with other agencies to offer information, advice, support and counselling services to young people aged 13 to 25. For help and advice call Streetwise on 0191 230 5400 or visit their website at www.streetwisenorth.co.uk.
OTHER USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS.
Sexual Health Information Line: For information on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections call FREE 24-hours per day on 0800 567 123.
Walk in Centres: Some areas of England have walk-in centres. Most of these can supply emergency contraception pills. They have long opening hours and are open at the week-ends and bank holidays. To find out if there is a walk-in centre in your area call the fpa helpline 0845 310 1334 or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Local Telephone Numbers [BACK TO MENU]
The contacts below can offer confidential advice about family planning including contraception and safe sex.
| Gateshead Young Womens Outreach Project |
0191 477 7759 |
| Gateshead Health Centre |
0191 443 6825 |
| Newcastle Graingerville Clinic |
0191 219 5239 |
| Sunderland Family Planning Services |
0191 569 9966 |
North Tyneside Contraception and Sexual
Health Service |
0191 219 6642 |
| South Tyneside Family Planning Services |
0191 451 6180 |
Newcastle
Gateshead
North Tyneside
Staff in the sexual health service work with GPs and other community health staff to provide free advice and support on a drop-in basis across North Tyneside. Anyone can attend and no appointment is necessary. There are a number of sessions held every week where staff are available to help with:
- Questions or worries about types of contraception, including
the morning after pill
- Pregnancy testing
- Free condoms
- Help with the coil or contraceptive implants
- Advice about sexually transmitted diseases and how to prevent them
- Cervical smears
- Screening for infections, including gonorrhoea, chlamydia and HIV
- Treatment for thrush
Drop-in sessions are available across North Tyneside - CLICK HERE to view list.
North Tyneside Primary Care Trust operates free and confidential contraception and Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics, contact them on 0191 219 6610.
They also provide an advice line. to speak to the Health Adviser contact 0191 259 2519.
The North Tyneside Contraception and Sexual Health Service CASH can provide advice and support to young women in the North Tyneside area. 0191 219 6642.
South Tyneside
- Stanhope Parade Health Centre, Gordon St. South Shields
Telephone 0191 451 6103
- Palmer Community Hospital, Wear St. Jarrow 0191 451 6457
- Hebburn Health Centre, Campbell Park Rd. Hebburn 0191 451 6242
- GUM Clinic (Genito Urinary Medicine) Sexually transmitted infections and non sexually transmitted infections. Condoms, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception and Hepatitis B immunisation. Stanhope Parade health Centre, Gordon Street, South Shields. 0191 451 6180.
-
Ocean Rd Community Centre, Ocean Road, South Shields
Telephone 0191 423 0789
Contraception Advice Line 0191 451 6180 Emergency Contraception – If you are at risk of pregnancy after having unprotected sex or a problem with contraception then emergency Contraception is available for up to 72 hours. Please seek help as soon as possible from our contraception clinics or a GP. Help may also be available after this time – seek help quickly after the event.
Cervical Smear Tests
If you need a cervical smear test but do not need contraception, your test can be taken in community clinics across South Tyneside staffed by female doctors and nurses. They also offer help and advice on breast awareness and other women’s health issues.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
For professional and confidential advice and treatment please contact:
Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine (G.U.M) – Clinic D, Stanhope Parade Health Centre, Gordon Street, South Shields. Telephone 0191 451 6104.
Sunderland
- Emergency Contraception / Family Planning: 0191 565 6256
- Sunderland Royal Hospital: 0191 565 6256
- Sunderland HIV and AIDS Unit: 0191 569 9197
- Sunderland Pregnancy Care Service LIFE: 0191 565 2816
- GUM Clinic (Genito Urinary Medicine) Sexually transmitted infections and non sexually transmitted infections. Condoms, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception and Hepatitis B immunisation. Sunderland General Hospital.
Telephone 0191 451 6180.
- Body Positive Sunderland 0191 510 1805
- www.communigate/co.uk/ne/bodypositivenortheast
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Safe Sex and Contraception 