He Made Me Do It

What to do when your partner says YES and you want to say NO

Sexual activity can be a positive experience that makes couples feel closer to each other. Deciding to become sexually active with another person changes the way you think about and act towards each other, in ways you may not even expect.

In healthy relationships, both people decide together if and when they want to be sexual with each other. They want sex to be something that makes both of them feel good about themselves and where they are going in life.

Some relationships aren't good for both people. Sometimes one partner forces the other to have sex when they don't want to. They may use emotional pressure (for example, threatening to find another partner), or they may use physical force.

Is your partner much older than you are? It may be even more difficult for you to say no. He or she may feel that he is ready to have intercourse, while you might want to save that experience for when you are older.

If you are in a sexual relationship which you feel is positive and healthy for you, we have information for you about contraceptive choices and sexually transmitted disease prevention . Your sexual health is important, and we want to help you stay healthy.

If you are in a relationship which doesn't feel good for you, and your partner is trying to make the decisions about your sexual activity, we can help. Adults you can trust can listen to your situation and help you communicate with your partner about what you want. If you want to get away from a difficult or dangerous situation, call any of the phone numbers listed here. They will listen to you and put you in touch with people in or near your town who can help you.

• Denver Health NurseLine: (303) 739-1211
• Planned Parenthood Facts of Life Line: (303) 832-5995
• "Boys Town" National Hotline (24-hour youth counseling): 1-800-448-3000