Being intimate

Let’s talk about intimate relationships

When people hear the word intimate, they often think it means sex. But guess what? Most intimate relationships aren’t sexual at all.

• They can be deep friendships
• Romantic crushes or dating
• Or just people you trust and feel super close to.

Why relationships matter

Love, dating, breakups, crushes – they’re a big part of growing up.
Figuring out how to build real, respectful connections is something everyone learns. But if you don’t know what a healthy relationship looks like, you might end up in one that’s confusing or even unsafe.

What you need to know about sex

The age of consent in Guernsey is 16. That means:

• If you’re under 16, you legally can’t say “yes” to sex, even if you feel like you’re ready.
• Sex with anyone under 16 is a crime, even if both people agree.

What is consent, really?

Consent is:

• Saying “yes” because you want to  
• Feeling safe, calm, and in control
• Something you can change your mind about anytime

Consent is not:

• Being pressured or guilted into it
• Being too drunk, high, or scared to say no
• Staying silent or unsure

What real sex should be:

• Talked about honestly with your partner
• Based on respect, care, and trust
• Something where nobody feels pressured or unsafe
• Something you can always say no to — even if you’ve said yes before