If you are in a relationship with someone, you should feel loved, safe, respected and free to be yourself.

But if the relationship leaves you feeling scared, intimidated or controlled, it’s possible you’re in an abusive relationship.

Confused about Consent?

If you are struggling to understand consent, just imagine instead of initiating sex you're making someone a cup of tea.  Watch this video to find out more:

Consent means giving permission for something to happen or agreeing to do something and being comfortable with that decision. It doesn’t matter what gender you are, or whether you’re straight, gay or bisexual, if you’re planning to do anything sexual then both of you must give consent.

Consent has to be given freely and no one can be made to consent to something. It’s not consent if someone does something because they feel like they have to. You can also never assume that someone is giving consent – you have to be sure.

Consent is an essential part of healthy relationships and it’s really important to know what it is and the many ways to spot it. Both you and the person you’re with always need to consent before sex or any intimate activity.

If you want to do something sexual with your partner, the responsibility lies with you to check for consent, not with your partner to say ‘no’ if they don’t want to.

Support for young people:

• GAIA: work with girls at risk of sexual harm
• Expect Respect: St Giles: work with girls in groups and individual mentoring email, info@stgilestrust.org.uk
• St Michaels fellowship: work with young parents
• WUSH: Wise Up to Sexual Health: email Deborah Clarke, deborah.clark@gstt.nhs.uk
• Metro Centre Online: gives sexual health and emotional support for LGBTQ young people in South London email, youth@metrocentreonline.org or call  020 8305 5000
• Brook Advisory: provides sexual health advice, safe sex relationship  support and 1:1 work
• The Well Centre: based in Streatham, provides a holistic health service for young people including counselling.
• iDREAM: the community Arts based programme is open to young people living in Lambeth aged between 14 – 21 years who are using or at risk of using cannabis or alcohol. Email  simon.idreamalliance@gmail.com
• South Central Youth: youth club based group and 1:1 work to divert young people from gangs and crime. Offering a  healthy working relationship.
• Safer London: Pan London service to support young women to exit gang activities, or at risk of gang activity. Emphasis on CSE.
• NWG Network
• CEOP: Child Exploitation & Online Protection CentreThink U know?
• Victim Support: have a support team for Lambeth, call 020 7801 1777. Lines are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday 
• Children’s  Society: London wide young men’s CSE service email Manpreet Patil, manpreet.patil@childrenssociety.org.uk
• US project: for all young people with learning disabilities/additional needs. Contact Amy Edwards, email: amy.edwards@childrenssociety.org.uk or call 07739659404
• Safe Choices: The Children’s Society. Safe Choices project delivers 1:1 and group work with young women aged 15-22 who are either leaving custody or leaving care, and have had experience with sexual exploitation, sexual violence, gang offending and violent offending.  Email Yvonne Hansen, yvonne.hansen@childrenssociety.org.uk  or call 020 8221 8229.