SEXUAL HEALTH
Sex should be fun! That also means being safe. It’s important to remember that sexual activity does not exclusively refer to penis-vaginal intercourse. Sexual acts can come in a number of forms including, but not limited to:
Oral Sex (mouth-penis, mouth-vagina, mouth-anus)
Digital Sex (use of fingers and/or hands)
Vaginal Sex
Anal Sex
Mutual Masturbation
Whatever type of sex you get up to during your time in DCU, make sure to look after yourself. Everything you could possibly need we have detailed below. Most (if not all) services are available for FREE. More information can be found at sexualwellbeing.ie. You can always contact the VP Wellbeing with queries, too.
Consent
Consent is mandatory for participating in sexual activity. Consent is ongoing, mutually given, and freely given. A person must also have the capacity to consent, meaning they are not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In Ireland, the legal age for consent is 17 years of age. It is a crime to engage in a sexual act with someone who has not given consent. In Ireland, the law is set out in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act of 2017.
Ongoing. Ongoing consent means a person can change their mind at any point during sexual activity. It also means that you should check in with your partner(s) when progressing from one sexual act to another, and consistently during the duration of each sexual act.
An example of ongoing sexual consent is asking your partner(s) “is this okay?” as you progress from kissing to oral sex, or from oral sex to penetrative sex. You should continue to check in with one another throughout.
Mutually Given. All parties involved in sexual activity must give their consent. Just because you are comfortable doing something does not mean your partner(s) is comfortable. Consent cannot be one-sided.
Freely Given. Freely given consent means someone actively and enthusiastically provides consent for participating in sexual activity. It means they are not under pressure (physical or otherwise) to give consent.
Consent Classes
DCU SU runs consent classes each year during orientation for 1st Year students. To date, we have trained over 4000 students in consent.
You can also take Active* Consent’s online eLearning module on consent, available here.
Bystander Intervention Training
Bystander Intervention Training teaches you the skills to intervene in situations where things don’t feel right. For example, if you see any bullying, sexual violence, or a crime.
You can take bystander intervention training on LOOP, here. Completing the training will provide you with a digital badge that you can use on your CV.
Free STI Services, Condoms, and Pregnancy Supports
STI Services
There are a number of Sexual Health Services across the country that are available for free. For the most up-to-date information for any person in Ireland in light of COVID-19, please check here: https://www.hivireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/Available-Public-Sexual-Health-Services.pdf
DCU’s Health Centre also provides STI services. A nurse consultation on STIs is available for free through the Health Centre during term-time. You can obtain urine and swab STI tests for free. This includes tests for syphilis & gonorrhoea.
A full STI screening costs €40 euro and includes blood tests for things such as Hepatitis A & B + HIV.
What does an STI screening involve?
A full STI screening typically involves having your blood taken, oral, vaginal and/or rectal swabs, and a urine sample. This can vary depending on the type of sex your participate in. If you participate in receptive vaginal sex, for example, you may be required to take a vaginal swab. If you participate in any form of anal sex, you may be required to take an rectal swab. STI screenings are not painful and the tests themselves take less than 10 minutes to go through.
When should I get an STI screening?
We recommend you get an STI screening every three months, and between each sexual partner. Even if you do not present with any symptoms, it is important you are aware of your sexual health status.
It is important to know that there are window periods in which you may have an STI, but it does not show up on your screening.
What are the window periods for different STIs? What do they mean?
The window periods for some common STIs are presented below:
Gonorrhoea: 1-2 Weeks
Chlamydia: 1-2 Weeks
Hepatitis C: 2-6 Months
Syphilis: 1-3 Months
Herpes: 1-4 Months
HIV: 2 Weeks - 3 Months
Let’s explain what these window periods mean with an example. John has sex with Beth on January 1st. They do not use a condom, but do use birth control. John & Beth do not realise that one of them has gonorrhoea.
On January 4th, Beth goes for an STI screening as she is a bit nervous about the condomless sex. Her test comes back testing negative for all STIs.
On January 15th, John goes for a regular STI screening in the Mater Hospital. His test comes back positive for gonorrhoea. He lets Beth know.
Beth goes for another STI test on January 16th - she tests positive for gonorrhoea. The reason why her test did not come back positive on January 4th is because the window period (i.e., the time it takes for gonorrhoea to show in your system) had not passed.
Neither Beth or John had sex with anyone else in that two week period. This is fortunate as they would have been infectious with gonorrhoea during that period.
I’m a man-who-has-sex-with-men, what should I know about STI services?
There are a number of MSM-specific services available. You may have noticed this in the list of available STI services.
While all STI services are capable of looking after your sexual health, we recommend MSM to access MSM-specific services if possible. There are particular concerns around MSM sexual activity which staff at MSM-specific services are well-versed in. Similarly, if you are a gender minority, staff members of MSM services are well-versed in accommodating your concerns which may not be guaranteed in other services.
If you are a man-who-has-sex-with-men, we also recommend considering starting PrEP. More information can be found below.
I’m nervous about attending an STI screening alone. What can I do?
Get in contact with the VP Wellbeing who can help you out. Societies in DCU, for example DCU LGBTA, have previously organised group trips for STI screenings to reduce individual anxieties about the process.
Free Condoms
During term-time, free condoms are available on campus at the SU Helpdesk. Condoms are also available across DCU Campuses. You can also get in contact with sarah@dcusu.ie who can have condoms set aside for you on campus in a discreet envelope for you to pick-up.
Free condoms by post are available for anyone in Ireland. You can place your order with the Sexual Health Centre based in Cork. Submit an order here: sexualhealthcentre.com.
You can also place an order in Sexual Health West, here.
Free Pregnancy Tests
Pregnancy tests are available for free in the post via the Students’ Union. This is a discreet service and can be anonymous. If you need a pregnancy test, simply fill out our Google Form which can be found here: https://forms.gle/fTvUZtYDxjgyNSEk9
Pregnancy Supports
If you have unexpectedly become pregnant and need support, there are options available. MyOptions runs a 24/7 phone service which provides medical advice including information on abortion services. They also offer counselling Mon-Fri from 9am-8pm and on Saturday’s from 10am-2pm.
You can contact MyOptions at: 1800 828 010 (ROI) / +353 1 687 7044 (Outside ROI). You can book an appointment to use MyOptions through sign language here: https://slis.ie/iris/#book-an-appointment
Abortion Services
DCUSU is a pro-choice organisation as passed by referendum in DCU in 2016. We strongly supported the Repeal of the 8th Amendment.
HIV Prevention (PrEP)
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily pill which can be taken to prevent the contraction of HIV even if you participate in unprotected sexual activity. PrEP is available for free for men-who-have-sex-with-men and other at-risk groups who meet elgibility criteria (e.g., that you have had unprotected sex with more than one man in the last 6 months, full details here.
PrEP prescriptions can be filled in all pharmacies, however, not all pharmacies consistently stock PrEP. We recommend having your prescriptions filled at the on-campus pharmacy or the pharmacy in the Omni Park Shopping Centre.
To get prescribed PrEP, please consult the available services. It is recommended that you apply for a Drugs Payment Card ahead of your first PrEP appointment. A DPS card is free to any ordinary resident of the Republic of Ireland.
If you would like to know more about PrEP, you can contact the VP Wellbeing.
Emergency Contraception & HIV Prevention
‘The Morning After Pill’
If you have had unprotected sexual activity and fear you may become pregnant, you may want to access emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is more effective the sooner it is taken.
There are two main types of pill-form emergency contraception. One form must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual activity, while the other can be taken up to 120 hours within unprotected sexual activity. You can access the morning after pill at pharmacies across the country. You do not need a prescription for the morning after pill.
Similarly, you can complete an online application for the morning after pill and can arrange to pick it up at DCU’s on-campus pharmacy. Fill out an application for the morning after pill here.
You can also be referred for emergency (IUD) copper coil fitting within 5 days of unprotected sexual intercourse, which you can leave in for up to 12 years post fitting as a contraceptive. Your GP or pharmacist can advise you on this.
PeP (if you have been exposed to HIV)
Post-exposure prophylaxis is a month-long (28 days) course of drugs which can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex (i.e., you are not on PrEP, and you did not use condoms).
PeP is available through most STI clinics. However, PeP is available in most hospital emergency departments across the country. You can find your nearest PeP provider here.
Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence
DCU regards any sexual misconduct as unacceptable and operates a zero tolerance policy with regard to sexual misconduct. Full details can be found on the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy.
If you have just been assaulted, try to get to a safe place and seek support from someone who can help you. If you are injured, seek medical attention by calling 999 or 112. You can further call the National 24 Hour Free Phone Helpline at 1800 778888 for support and information on your options.
If you would like to report the assault, you can call the Gardaí, find your local station, or call 999 or 112 for more. The Gardaí will also arrange transport to the nearest Sexual Assault Treatment Unit to get you medical attention and collect forensic evidence.
Medical Attention
For medical attention, your local Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) provides specialist treatment and information. Available on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year.
There are 6 SATUs in Ireland- Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Mullingar and Waterford. (Limerick have a service but you will need to call 999/112 to explain what service you would like). Contact details of SATU.
DCU Support Advocates
DCU has dedicated staff members who are there to help you in your times of need. Each member of DCUSU has also received Disclosure Training to ensure if you are ever in need of disclosing information on your experience, we can get you the right support. Useful contacts can be found below:
Dr Claire Bohan- Director of Student Support and Development.
Annabella Stover – Deputy Director of Student Support and Development.
Jessie Byrne – Head of Student Health Service.
Ruan Kennedy – Senior Counsellor at Counselling & Personal Development Service.
The Vice-President for Wellbeing DCU Students’ Union.