Learning path · 4 steps

Communicate, consent and set boundaries

Learn what consent means in practice, then practise the conversations that keep a relationship safe and respectful.

By the end: You will have clear words for consent, boundaries and sexual health conversations.

AltFTool Health Editorial TeamFact-checked

0 of 4 steps done

  1. Understanding consent: what it means and how to ask for it

    Consent is a clear, willing agreement to take part in sexual activity, given freely by someone who is able to make that choice. It must be informed, apply to a specific activity, and can be withdrawn at any moment. Silence, pressure or a lack of resistance never count as consent.

    Your action: Write down, in your own words, three signs that consent is not present.

    Read the guide

  2. Setting healthy boundaries in a relationship: a practical guide

    Healthy boundaries are the limits you set about how you want to be treated, covering your feelings, body, devices and time. Stating them clearly and respecting your partner's limits keeps a relationship safe and equal. A partner who repeatedly ignores, punishes or controls your boundaries is showing warning signs of abuse.

    Your action: List one emotional, one physical and one digital boundary that matter to you.

    Read the guide

  3. How to talk about sexual health with a partner: a practical guide

    Talking about sexual health with a partner means discussing STI testing, contraception and personal boundaries before you become intimate, ideally at a calm, private moment. Using simple, non-judgemental phrases and sharing your own information first makes the conversation easier and shows care for both of you.

    Your action: Pick a calm moment and an opening line for your next check-in.

    Read the guide

  4. Intimate image privacy: risks, sextortion and what to do if shared

    Once a private image is sent, you lose control over where it goes. Sharing or threatening to share someone's intimate image without consent is a crime in many countries, including the UK, India and the US. If it happens, do not pay or negotiate, keep evidence, report it to the platform and the police, and use tools like StopNCII.org or Take It Down to help stop it spreading.

    Your action: Review the privacy settings on the apps you use to message.

    Read the guide

Questions people ask on this path

Can you withdraw consent once things have started?

Yes. Anyone can change their mind at any point, including part way through. Once a person says stop, or makes it clear through their behaviour that they no longer want to continue, the other person must stop straight away. Continuing after consent has been withdrawn is not consensual.

Is it controlling to want to see my partner's phone?

Wanting reassurance is understandable, but demanding access to a partner's phone, messages or location is a form of control. Healthy relationships allow each person privacy. If you feel insecure, talking about those feelings honestly, or with a counsellor, is a healthier step than checking up on someone.

Is it rude to ask a new partner if they have been tested?

No. Asking about STI testing is a normal, responsible part of looking after your health and theirs. Framing it around yourself, for example by saying when you were last tested, helps it feel like a shared decision. Most people appreciate a partner who takes their health seriously.

Should I pay someone who is threatening to share my images?

No. Paying or sending more images rarely ends the threats and often leads to further demands. Stop replying, keep screenshots of the messages and profile, report the account to the platform, and contact the police. Many people in this situation have been targeted by organised criminals, and it is not your fault.

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