In the ever-changing landscape of dating and sex, it feels like there’s a new buzzword every week, from “ghosting” to “breadcrumbing.” But one term that’s making waves lately is “stealthing.”

But this isn’t just another boring trend. Stealthing is serious. It’s when someone sneakily removes a condom during sex without the other person’s consent. It’s becoming more common than we’d like to admit and it’s considered sexual assault in many places.

A healthy sex life should be fun, enjoyable, and, above all, safe. But stealthing breaks that trust and can cause both emotional and physical harm.

Stealthing is a big deal because it violates consent and can leave you feeling violated, angry, and disrespected. Plus, it opens the door to unwanted pregnancy and STIs, which nobody wants to deal with.

So, why do people do it? Well, there could be a bunch of reasons, from thinking sex feels better without a condom to wanting to assert power over someone else. But the bottom line is that it’s never okay.

And if you’ve experienced stealthing, know this: It’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. But it’s important to take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally.

That means getting tested for STIs and considering emergency contraception if there’s a risk of pregnancy. And don’t hesitate to reach out for support from friends, family, or a professional if you need it.

Remember, everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their sexual relationships. So let’s keep the conversation going and make sure stealthing is never tolerated.

Main image: Healthline