Sexual Health Resources

What is sexual health?

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as: “…a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.” (WHO, 2006a)

Being sexually healthy means:

  • Understanding that sexuality is a natural part of life and involves more than sexual behavior.
  • Recognizing and respecting the sexual rights we all share.
  • Having access to sexual health information, education, and care.
  • Making an effort to prevent unintended pregnancies and STDs and seek care and treatment when needed.
  • Being able to experience sexual pleasure, satisfaction, and intimacy when desired.
  • Being able to communicate about sexual health with others including sexual partners and health care providers.

Resources to Support Your Sexual Health

  • National Resources

    AIDS Healthcare Foundation
    AIDS Healthcare Foundation is currently the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the United States. More information can be found on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation website.

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    The CDC offers an extensive amount of information about sexually transmitted infections/diseases, including transmission routes, symptoms, testing and treatment. The CDC also offers information about different types of contraceptives for preventing pregnancy.

    Office on Women's Health (OWH)
    OWH offers an extensive amount of information on reproductive health, in addition to other health and wellness topics.

  • Athens Area Resources

    Portsmouth City Health Department Care and Prevention
    Portsmouth City Health Department Care and Prevention offers free counseling, education and HIV testing opportunities in eleven counties in southern Ohio. Offers confidential advice through Dee Mystified, your opportunity to ask questions anonymously and to receive your answers by email, personal mail or phone at 740.353.8863.

    Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
    Offers birth control, emergency contraception, STI testing and treatment, vaccines, HIV testing, pregnancy testing, counseling and care. More information can be found on the Planned Parenthood website

    OhioHealth Campus Care at Ohio University
    Located at 2 Health Center Dr., the OhioHealth Campus Care at Ohio University provides STI testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and genital warts. To be tested, visit the clinic during posted hours with a student I.D. or call 740.592.7100. You do not have to be enrolled in the University Student Health Insurance to use the services.

    Athens Health Center
    Students may also seek testing at Athens Health Center, a division of Planned Parenthood, located at 1005 East State St., Suite W.

Contraception

A range of contraceptive options is available through local health departments and for Athens students through OhioHealth Campus Care at Ohio University, located at 2 Health Center Dr. Students may visit the clinic during posted hours with a student I.D. or call 740.592.7100.

Additionally, Contraception Counselors are available to provide a FREE consultation one-on-one with anyone who wants to explore their safe contraception options and insurance coverage for them. People can call 740.592.7176 to schedule.

To learn more about various options, including long-acting contraceptives, visit reproductiveaccess.org or bedside.org.

Abortion

Ohio law says abortions are illegal once a heartbeat has been detected. To find a provider, visit abortionfinder.org. Ohioans seeking abortion access out-of-state due to restrictions or who are at risk of missing your appointment because you don't have the funds, transportation, or are experiencing other logistical issues can contact Abortion Fund of Ohio.

OhioHealth Campus Care at Ohio University, located at 2 Health Center Dr., provides contraceptive counseling based on personal health history and goals for contraception, gynecological care, as well as referrals to appropriate external specialists, when needed. Students with a valid OHIO student I.D. may visit the clinic during posted hours or call 740.592.7100. You do not have to be enrolled in the University Student Health Insurance to use the services.

If you want more information or want to talk through your options, students can also call Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) 24 hours a day/seven days a week at 740.593.1616 to speak with a counselor. Drop-in hours are available from the CPS office in Hudson Heath Center from 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. CPS also provides consultation to faculty, administrators, and parents of students.

Reproductive health services including most forms of FDA approved contraception are covered under the student health insurance as well as payable benefits for abortion. 

Under Title IX, abortion care is pregnancy care, meaning that it may be a reasonable accommodation to approve time off for travel to obtain an abortion.

Pregnant and/or Parenting Students

Ohio University is committed to creating a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students. Students are not required to inform faculty, staff or any member of the administration of their pregnancy or parenting status, unless they are seeking accommodations. The University wishes to create an environment that encourages voluntary sharing of this information, so that the university can provide support for the physical and mental health of the student.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of schools. This prohibition includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students.

Students may request reasonable accommodations as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related condition through University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance.

Athens students: Family Navigator Services

Regional Campus Health Centers Offering Contraception

St. Clairsville

WVU Medicine
Patient Registration: 304.243.3333
Main Phone: 304.243.3000

Belmont County Health Department
Phone: 730.695.1202 ext.113

Ironton

Valley Health
Phone: 740.532.1188

Lawrence County Health Department
Phone: 740.532.3962

Zanesville

Family Health Services of East Central Ohio
Phone: 740.453.2872

Genesis Healthcare System
(not currently accepting new patients but will in the future)
Phone: 750.454.8800

Chillicothe

Hopewell Health Center
Phone: 740.773.4366

Sexual Assault, Stalking & Relationship Violence

Sexual assault is any unwanted physical, emotional or sexual contact. Sexual assault is a form of violence. It encompasses a wide range of sexual actions taken against a person without the person’s consent, against the person’s will, or under force, threat of force or coercion. Legally, consent cannot be given while intoxicated since these states inhibit an aware state of mind. (Excerpt from the Ohio Revised Code)

Ohio University policy #03.004: Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct includes sexual harassment and sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence, and stalking. These behaviors are prohibited as unlawful discriminatory conduct under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 4112.02 of the Revised Code, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 ("VAWA"), and the Campus Sexual Assault Elimination Act ("Campus SaVE Act").

For additional information about the University’s sexual misconduct policy for faculty and staff, the student sexual misconduct process and definitions, visit the website of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance.

Resources

Seek medical treatment immediately. Sexual assault forensic exams can be completed up to 96 hours post-assault, but you can still seek medical attention if this timeline has passed. If possible, do not shower, bathe, eat or change clothes before seeking treatment. However, if you have engaged in any of these activities post-assault, medical providers may still be able to collect evidence. Nurses trained in sexual assault response are available at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital* (55 Hospital Drive, Athens; 740.593.5551) and follow-up care can be obtained through Campus Care* (Hudson Health Center, 1st Floor; 740.592.7100).

You may report the crime to the Ohio University Police Department (135 Scott Quad; 740.593.1911) for on-campus assaults or to Athens Police Department (11 N. College Street, Athens; 740.593.6606) for off-campus assaults.

You can contact the Survivor Advocacy Program* within the Ohio University Division of Student Affairs (24/7 crisis line: 740.597.SAFE (7233) or survivor.advocacy@ohio.edu. SAP serves student survivors at OHIO.

Sexual misconduct may be reported by any member of the Ohio University community wishing to file a report. The Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance and the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility will review information provided, take the most appropriate action and provide referrals and support. To report sexual misconduct at Ohio University, visit the ECRC website and click the purple box in the top right corner of the page.

University Counseling and Psychological Services* provides professional and confidential counseling to students. (Hudson Health Center, 3rd Floor; 24/7 Crisis Line: 740.593.1616)

*Confidential resource: Confidential resources are not required to report specific incidents to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance or any other investigating body and may not disclose any information without the permission of the student.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides a wide range of information on sexual assault statistics, risk reduction, side effects, and legal issues. It also tells you how to recognize sexual assault and how to report it, providing links and resources with additional information. It even operates its own 24/7 sexual assault hotline! You may also be able to find some volunteer opportunities through the website.

 

National & State Hotlines