Making a Safer Sex Plan

You have the right to make your own choices about sex. Making a safer sex plan can help you act on your choices. This safer sex plan has eight steps.

1. Choose how safe you want to be.

• How safe do you want to be?
• How safe do you want your partner to be?

2. Think about sex.

• Think about things that you do in sex.
• Think about ways to protect yourself.
• Choose how you would protect yourself.
• What do you need to buy?

3. Buy the things you need for safer sex.

4. Know how to use your safer sex supplies.

• You can practise using them by yourself.

5. Keep your safer sex supplies ready.

• Keep your safer sex supplies where you can get them easily.
• You can make dams in advance. You can carry condoms.

6. Practise what you can say to a partner.

• Practise asking for what you want.
• Practise saying no to what you don't want.
• Practise setting limits which make you comfortable.
• Tell yourself that you are worth taking care of.

7. Think about your safer sex plan.

• Is your plan clear? Is it easy to follow?
• Are you sure of it, or do you have questions?
• Who could help you make your safer sex plan work?

8. Try your safer sex plan.

• How did it work out?
• What could you do to make it better next time?

From The Education/Prevention Workshop for Women on HIV/AIDS, STDs, Sexuality and Self. Esteem, by Centre for AIDS Services Montreal (Women), with permission.