Healthy Sexuality

Healthy sexuality encompasses a comprehensive understanding of sexual health, focusing on aspects such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), access to safer sex supplies, and a sex-positive approach that celebrates pleasure. It also emphasizes the importance of consent, clear boundaries, and nurturing healthy relationships, ensuring that all sexual experiences are safe, respectful, and fulfilling.

In this section: 

Sexual Health

Bedsider: Explore birth control options with an interactive tool from Besider. Different methods can be compared side by side for effectiveness, side effects, sexually transmitted infection (STIs) protection, and more. You can also filter your search by these categories.

Sex Ed To Go: Many young people didn’t get the sex education they needed in school. Sex Ed To-Go fills that gap. This website is built on best-practices and inclusive principles by the experts at Planned Parenthood. Each course is between 15 and 40 minutes long and is available in English and Spanish.

Safer Sex Supplies: Safer sex supplies are a great way to protect from STIs and pregnancy.  There are many free options available at the Wellness Lounge in the Student Wellness Center as part of the Condom Co-Op:

  • External Condoms (latex, non-latex, and flavored options)
  • Internal Condoms
  • Lubricants
  • Dental Dams

Here are some tips on how to use safer sex supplies.  Dental dams and flavored condoms are for oral sex only. Lubricants can be used with condoms or dental dams.

SWC Health Services: The Student Wellness Center offers many sexual and reproductive health services including free or low cost STI testing, birth control options, and preventative screenings. 

Go Ask Alice!: Find answers to questions on sexual and reproductive health and relationships.  Go Ask Alice! is an anonymous health and well-being question and answer site. They have answers to just about any question from health to sexual fantasies. 

Healthy Relationships

One Love Foundation: This resource provides tools and resources to empower young people to see the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. The focus of One Love is to bring life-saving prevention education to communities.  They offer workshops, resources, discussion guides and self-paced training.

Love is Respect: Love is Respect is a source for 24/7 information, support, and advocacy to young people between the ages of 13 and 26 who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships. They also provide support to concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, and other service providers through the same free and confidential services via phone, text, and live chat. Call 1.866.331.9474

Their goal is to be a safe and inclusive space for young people to access help and information in a setting specifically for them. Comprehensive education is provided through resources including quizzes, interactive pages, testimonials, training, toolkits, and curriculum for educators, peers, and parents to promote healthy relationships and prevent future abuse.

Violence Prevention

Exploitation can affect anyone, including college students. On a downtown campus, students regularly move between classes, jobs, social events, and the surrounding community. In busy environments like these, pressure or manipulation can sometimes occur through work, housing, transportation, or social interactions.

Prevention starts with staying connected — to your instincts, your boundaries, and each other. Offers for rides, places to stay, special access to events, jobs, or quick money can sometimes come with pressure to move fast or keep things secret. If something feels off, it’s okay to slow down, ask questions, change plans, or leave. Knowing how pressure can show up can also make it easier to recognize when someone may need support.

Possible signs of exploitation or human trafficking may include:

  • Limited control over money, ID, or important documents
  • Pressure to rely on someone else for housing, work, transportation, or money
  • Isolation from friends, family, or support systems
  • Fear, anxiety, emotional numbness, or sudden academic struggles
  • Increased use of drugs or alcohol
  • Living with an employer or relying on an employer as an emergency contact
  • Talking about exchanging sex for money, gifts, or housing

To learn more about human trafficking and other forms of sexual violence, review our health education brochures and handouts.

If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone else, support is available. You don’t need to be sure to reach out. Resources listed below are available regardless of immigration status, and seeking support does not require contacting law enforcement.

Campus Resources

SJSU Survivor Advocacy Services provides confidential services for SJSU community members impacted by sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking & harassment.

The SJSU Office for Title IX and Equal Opportunity combines two prior offices: the Title IX and Gender Equity Office and the Office for Equal Opportunity. This new office simplifies the reporting process by establishing one place for all reports of protected status discrimination and harassment, including sex-based harassment, sexual misconduct, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and related retaliation. The office offers support and resources for those who are impacted by protected status discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation; disciplinary investigations involving any violation of the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy; and trainings on the office’s services, as well as the CSU's policies on discrimination, harassment, sex-based misconduct, and related retaliation.

The Gender Equity Center (GenEC) advocates for social justice, respect, and safety for all members of the San José State University community, by educating on issues experienced by people because of their gender and/or their perceived gender, through an intersectional lens.

Community & Online Resources

Safety 4 The Bay is a trusted safety resource for people living in or visiting the Bay Area. Created with input from the local community, Safety 4 the Bay helps residents and visitors quickly find clear, reliable support and local resources, especially during busy times and large events.

YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley provides support for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. They offer a 24/7 support hotline in English and Spanish with resources, support, and advocacy. SJSU students can access these services by calling 1-800-572-2782.

Community Solutions provides support for children, teens, adults, and families during times of crisis, including mental health and substance use concerns, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. They serve Santa Clara County and San Benito County and offer a 24-hour crisis line for sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking at 1-877-END-SADV (1-877-363-7238).

AACI Asian Women's Home provides support for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Services are available in multiple languages and dialects, both Asian and non-Asian, and are open to people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, socioeconomic background, or sexual orientation. Help is available 24/7 through their hotline at 408-975-2739.

Community United Against Violence (CUAV) supports Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people who have experienced violence, abuse, or oppression. CUAV offers peer counseling, wellness support, safety planning, and connections to local resources. Learn more or connect with services at cuav.org or by calling 415-777-5500.

Safe Chat Silicon Valley (SafeChatSV) is a confidential online chat service for people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence or intimate partner violence. Founded through a collaboration of domestic violence organizations in Silicon Valley, SafeChatSV connects individuals with trained advocates who can offer emotional support, share information, and help connect people to local resources. Support is available online at safechatsv.org.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national, 24-hour support service for people who have experienced or may be experiencing human trafficking. Trained advocates are available to listen, offer support, and connect individuals to information and resources. The hotline is available to anyone seeking help for themselves or someone else. You can call 1-888-373-7888.

TrevorSpace is an online community for LGBTQ+ people to connect with others in a supportive and moderated space. Managed by The Trevor Project, TrevorSpace is designed to help keep users safe and includes links to helpful resources and peer connections. For those in crisis, The Trevor Project also offers 24/7 phone, text, and chat support.