“Risk Reduction” vs “Safe Sex”

I know what you are thinking “Risk reduction? That sounds scary!” I know but I don’t believe the term “Safe Sex” is accurate. After all, you could be masturbating at home, slip on some lube, crack your head on the bedside table and LIGHTS OUT! So by communicating before, during, and after sex you can discuss and reduce known risks like pregnancy, STIs, medical conditions, the shoddy carpentry on your bed, whatever! By communicating openly and honestly you can positive platonic and sexual connections.

Sex and Sex Acts are a Continuum: Sexual behaviors are varied and cannot be addressed with simple “one-size-fits-all”. When thinking about safer sex, it is important to use a wide definition of “sex”. Many people think about sex fairly narrowly. For example, thinking that sex only involves penetration may limit people’s ability to adequately protect themselves and enhance their sexual lives through safer sex. Not all sexual behaviors are equally risky. It is important to realize that risk from various practices fall along a continuum instead of having a clear safe and non-safe boundary and any sexual practice can be made safer or unsafe. Additionally, external factors (like drugs and alcohol) can add risk to sex.

Risk Reduction is a way of thinking:

1. You address a situation and the potential risks involved

2. Decide what level of risk you are willing to reach in this situation

• What suits your Lifestyle

• Amount of Partners (Health Status of Partners)

• Type and Frequency of Sex

• Are alcohol or drugs are involved

1. Do what is required to reduce the risk involved to everyone’s acceptable risk level

• If that is not possible then the situation is not possible

ALL SEX BASED IN CONSENT IS “GOOD SEX”. We have all been hearing this word “consent” related to sex, but what does it mean? The most basic definition of consent is “an enthusiastic, free and informed agreement.” In the context of sex this means that ahead of the sexual encounter a person is provided all the honest information related to a sexual action beforehand, and then this person enthusiastically agrees to participate. Why am I being so specific? Because sex is complicated. Just because someone has agreed to a sexual act in the past does not mean they are willing to participate in that act again. Additionally, just because someone is interested in one specific, agreed-upon sexual scenario does not mean they will agree to participate in a different scenario. Another important part of consent is acknowledging that there are situations where people are unable to give enthusiastic, free and informed consent to a sexual encounter. For example if the law states that a person is under the age of consent or if the individual is inebriated, in these situations no one can give consent.

#riskreduction #safesex #sex #sexuality #consent #pleasure