Protect yourself and respect others

Tips for protecting yourself

Follow these tips if you’re going out, meeting someone new, or traveling alone:

• Take a charged phone with enough credit or data
• Let someone you trust know where you’re going and when you’ll be back
• Meeting someone for the first time? Consider bringing a friend
• Choose a public place that’s easy to leave if you feel uncomfortable
• Trust your gut – if something doesn’t feel right, leave. You don’t owe anyone an explanation

Know your own boundaries

What do you feel comfortable with when it comes to kissing, touching, or sex? Thinking about this ahead of time can make it easier to express what you want – and what you don’t want.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to kiss on the first date?
• Am I okay with someone touching me? If so, where?
• Do I feel ready for sex, or do I want to wait?

There’s no right or wrong answer – just what feels right for you.

Be clear from the start

The sooner you express your boundaries, the better. Misunderstandings happen when things are left unsaid.

Example

• “Want to come over and watch a movie?” can mean different things to different people. If you’re only interested in watching the movie, you can say: “Sure, but just so you know, I really just want to watch the movie.”

Being upfront doesn’t ruin the moment—it makes it clearer and more comfortable for both of you.

You can always change your mind

It’s completely okay to change your mind at any time.

• Maybe you thought you wanted to kiss, but now you don’t feel like it
• Maybe you planned to have sex, but now you’re not sure

That’s okay. Your boundaries can shift, and you never have to go through with something just because you agreed earlier.

Saying yes to one thing doesn’t mean saying yes to everything

• You can enjoy kissing but not want to be touched intimately
• You can go home with someone but not want to have sex
• You can say yes to sex once but say no next time

You don’t need to explain or justify your boundaries. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up.

Talk about sex

Talking about sex can feel awkward, but it’s the best way to make sure both of you are comfortable and enjoying the experience.

Before and during sex, ask:

• “What do you like?”
• “Does this feel good for you?”
• “Do you want to keep going, or should we stop?”

Good sex is about communication and respect—for yourself and your partner.