A Celebration of Sexual Health and Guidance
SHAG stands for Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance Week.
This year, we are running Re-SHAG from February 10 - 14. Our aim is to spark open, informed discussions about sexual health, consent, and relationships In a fun and enjoyable way.
Join Us at the UCDSU Helpdesk all week for a few Fun & Eye-Opening activities such as: "Relationship Red Flags/Green Flags, Consent Information Campaign & Guess How Many Pads/Tampons are in the Jar!”
Guess How Many Tampons are in the Jar:
A playful way to ease into the week. Win a prize for guessing correctly!
Consent Information Campaign:
No means no but so does……..
Awareness campaign centred around consent. What else do you think could mean no when it comes to consent? Have your say.
Relationship Red Flags/Green Flags; Protecting yourself is loving yourself
🔴 Red Flags: These are the warning signs in a relationship that something might be off.
🟢 Green Flags: On the flip side, green flags are the positive signs that indicate a healthy, supportive, and respectful relationship.
Share some of your Red Flags/Green Flags and check out what other people have written too! Learning to recognize both red and green flags help you make better decisions, avoid unnecessary heartache, and build healthier, more lasting relationships.
Check out the rest of our activities schedule for the week below!
Click HERE for Accessibility Information about the Events listed below.
Sign up to take part in the Self Defece Workshop HERE (places are limited so get in quick!)
Sexual Health & Consent Resources
Condoms and lube are available for free at the SU Help Desk located in the Old Student Centre.
Using condoms every time you have sex will reduce your risk of contracting an STI.
A Condom covers the penis and can be used for oral (mouth to penis), vaginal and anal sex. For more information on the use of condoms, click HERE
A Dental Dam lines the vagina or the anus and can be used for oral sex. These can be purchased at most pharmacies. For more information about Dental Dams, click HERE
STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) Testing
If you’re having sex you should be testing for sexually transmitted infections(STI) if:
you have a new sexual partner
you have more than one sexual partner
you have any symptoms which suggest an STI
your partner has an STI
Where can I get an STI Test?
Free HSE Home Test Kits: SH24.ie (Order free online and with discreet delivery.)
STI Testing in UCD Health Service: 01 716 3134 (€60 symptomatic or €40 for non-symptomatic)
STI Clinics: St James’ Hospital, HIV Ireland, Beaumont Hospital.
Queer spaces providing rapid HIV testing:
The George Bar
Pantibar
The Boilerhouse,
Outhouse
(Details on days & times this is available can be found HERE)
For more information on STIs and common genital conditions, check out this digital leaflet provided by the HSE. Click on your preferred language to download.
What is Consent?
Consent is an ongoing, mutual and freely-given agreement to take part in sexual activity (not just sex itself).
For Consent to be meaningful it must be;
Freely given – Not pressured, forced or coerced
Specific to each act – Consent to one thing is not consent for anything else – you can change your mind at any time
Specific to each time – Consent in the past does not mean consent now or in the future
Consent requires free will, real choices and capacity to decide
Consent needs personal agency and safety, ability to express your own likes and dislikes, and that your choices are heard and respected
Consent may be communicated verbally or non-verbally
Consent lets us have fun together whilst keeping ourselves and each other safe and happy
UCD’s ‘Bystander Intervention’ training course, which focuses on how to help when someone is at risk and learn about your role in preventing sexual assault, can be accessed through your Brightspace.
Resources and Information about Consent
Tea Consent Video Copyright ©2015 Emmeline May and Blue Seat Studios. Original Video
Video Credit: Active* Consent - Consent is for Everyone Campaign
Sexual Assault - You are not alone
For support and information related to rape and sexual violence, please ring the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) National 24-Hour Helpline: 1800 77 88 88.
Webchat support service
This new service allows you to chat online, one to one, with a DRCC support worker.
They can help you to access:
Confidential support from a trained support specialist
Resources that can help you towards healing and recovery
Information about a range of issues, including longer term supports and referral.
The DRCC webchat is open Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm (excluding Bank Holidays). It is also open Tuesday ahd Wednesday 0:00 - 3:00. These hours may change, so please check https://www.drcc.ie/services/helpline/webchat/ for updates.
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, they provide a text service, operating Mon-Fri from 8am to 6:30pm on: 086823 8443
Rape Crisis Centres, such as the DRCC provide support services to all victims of sexual violence, including accompaniment to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. https://www.drcc.ie/support/
The Dublin SATU (Sexual Assault Treatment Unit)
The Dublin Sexual Assault Treaatment Unit is in the Rotunda Hospital and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
It can be contacted at:
01 817 1736 9:00 - 16:30 on Weekdays
and at
01 817 1700 outside of those hours.
UCD Dignity and Respect
The UCD Dignity & Respect Policy underpins the entirety of your university experience — from your lecture halls and class group chats, to society trips away and sporting events. You’re expected to treat all members with kindness, compassion and respect, and deserve to receive the same respect in return. There’s zero tolerance for bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.
To learn more about the anonymous ‘Report and Support’ tool, the Dignity & Respect Complaint Process, and information for making a formal complaint, check out their website HERE