Building healthy relationships and understanding consent are essential parts of making your time at university safe, positive, and fulfilling.
Whether you’re forming new friendships, starting romantic relationships, or navigating shared living, we’re here to empower you with information, support, and a listening ear—no judgement, just care. Relationships—whether romantic, platonic, with housemates, course mates, or family—shape your wellbeing, confidence, and daily life.
We celebrate and respect the full diversity of students’ relationships, including LGBTQ+ partnerships, cultural differences in dating, and non-traditional relationship structures. Whatever your background or lived experience, you belong here, and support is open to all. We’re here to help you build positive connections and support you with any challenges you may face.
University is a place to build connections. Healthy relationships—whether romantic, friendship, or with housemates—are based on respect, trust, and communication. Click on the sections below to read more about what to look out for and recognise in healthy, and unhealthy, relationships:
Healthy Relationships
Open communication: you and your partner feel comfortable expressing feelings and thoughts.
Independence: both individuals maintain their own identities and friendships.
Mutual respect: you value each other’s opinions, boundaries, and individuality.
Trust: you both have a sense of security and don’t constantly worry about cheating or betrayal.
Support: you encourage each other’s goals and celebrate successes.
Conflict resolution: disagreements are handled constructively without resorting to hurtful behaviour.
Equality: decision-making and responsibilities are shared between you both.
Unhealthy Relationships
Poor communication: one or both partners struggle to express themselves or resort to yelling/silent treatment.
Dependence: one or both partners rely excessively on the other for their sense of worth.
Disrespect: one partner frequently criticises, belittles, or dismisses the other.
Lack of trust: there’s constant suspicion, jealousy, or monitoring of the other’s activities.
Lack of support: you are unsupportive or dismissive of each other’s goals and achievements.
Manipulation: guilt, threats, or emotional blackmail are used to influence behaviour.
Control: one partner tries to dictate the other’s choices, friends, or activities.
No one should feel pressured, controlled, or unsafe. If you’re experiencing—or worried about—abuse, coercion, or sexual misconduct (including harassment, unwanted attention, or stalking):
- Speak confidentially to a Student Life Adviser – we can help you understand your options, find further support, and keep your information confidential.
- Use the Report a Concern tool for anonymous or named reports.
Consent: What It Means and Why It Matters
Consent is about choice, respect, and communication. It means freely agreeing to something—whether that’s physical contact, sharing space, or participating in any kind of activity—under two key conditions:
- Freedom: Consent must be given without pressure, manipulation, or threat. If someone feels they can’t say “no” or are being guilt-tripped, coerced, or intimidated, that’s not true consent.
- Capacity: A person must be able to make a clear, informed decision. If someone is very drunk, under the influence of drugs, asleep, or unconscious, they cannot legally or ethically give consent.
Consent applies to many situations—kissing, touching, sex, sharing intimate images, online conversations, or trying something new together. It must be clear, mutual, and ongoing. Silence or lack of resistance is not consent. Saying “yes” once doesn’t mean “yes” forever. Anyone can change their mind at any time.
Checking-in is caring:
- Ask: “Are you okay with this?”
- Listen for enthusiastic, clear responses.
- Respect any hesitation or change of mind.
Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect and open communication. Sharing your boundaries—and respecting others’—shows care and builds trust. If you ever feel unsure, pressured, or uncomfortable, you have the right to stop and seek support.
Consent in Everyday Life
Consent isn’t just about intimacy—it’s a core value in all relationships and daily interactions. It’s about respecting people’s boundaries in situations like:
- Borrowing belongings: Always ask before using someone’s clothes, food, or tech—even if you’re close.
- Academic boundaries: You can say no if someone asks to copy your notes or coursework.
- Photos and videos: Check before taking or sharing images of others.
- Shared spaces: Knock and wait for permission before entering someone’s room.
- Physical touch: Even hugs or playful gestures need mutual comfort and consent.
- Social plans: No one should be pressured into group activities, drinking games, or events they’re not comfortable with.
Respecting consent in all areas of student life helps create a campus culture of trust, safety, and inclusion. If you’re ever unsure—just ask—and always accept “no” as a complete answer.
Your wellbeing in intimate relationships
Many people in intimate partner relationships may from time to time experience some periods of conflict, however if this conflict is sustained and you are often feeling negative or worrying emotions about it, that might be the time to consider whether that relationship is a healthy one for you to be in.
What can I do about it?
If you are worried about your situation, we would encourage you to talk to someone you trust about it – whether a friend, family member or a professional.
If you would like to speak in confidence to a member of staff, the Student Support Advisers will take your concerns seriously and are able to support you by talking to you further about any difficulties and possible solutions. We see students in person, in a confidential space in firstpoint, or online via Teams. To get in touch, please email to studentlife@worc.ac.uk or speak with firstpoint.
Another option you can consider is to access the Counselling and Mental Health Team, which is based in the Woodbury building on St Johns Campus. You can book a STAR (support, triage, advice and refer) appointment via the online calendar.
If you are a victim of crime, our University Police Community Support Officer (PCSOs) Jamie Denning is here to help. He is based at the University and can be accessed either via email pcso@worc.ac.uk or by telephoning 01905 542629.