This is what we do

Topics

Sexual health is a complex topic. It encompasses not only feeling healthy, but also being able to express your sexuality freely, without shame or taboos. That is why we strive to provide a well-rounded overview of sexual health and sexuality.

You can find more information on each individual topic here:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this website for?

The site can be used by anyone interested, whether they are simply curious, seeking advice, providing advice to others, or acting as an information multiplier. In short: it is for all (adults) who are interested in the topic. The content is available in simple language, so no prior knowledge or expertise is required.

Why is sexual health so important?

Humans beings are sexual beings. Human sexuality has a clear influence on health. Nevertheless, the topic remains taboo and is not discussed enough in society and politics. Only by talking about it can we make the topic more visible and begin to challenge existing taboos.

Can I use the site anonymously?

Yes, you can, at least with some browsers. Google Chrome, for example, offers the option of using “incognito tabs.” The pages visited do not appear in the search or browser history and no permanent cookies are collected. An incognito tab is activated by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of Chrome and then selecting “New incognito window.”

How are you breaking down barriers?

We try to break down at least some barriers by offering the platform in simple language and in several other languages. We have also made sure to use a high-contrast design. A read-aloud function can be activated if required.

Events

WIR offers a variety of professional development courses, workshops, and conferences on the topic of sexual health.

Aktuell sind keine Termine verfügbar.

WIR - We stand behind it

The success of Tabubruch is the result of the dedication of many committed people – contributing ideas, time, expertise, and hands-on support.

Our special thanks go to Lilly Wirth, Katie Stepp Nicolai, Helena Jestaedt, Stefanie Leitz, all interns who accompanied and supported the project, as well as our colleagues from Madonna e.V., Rosa Strippe e.V., pro familia Bochum e.V., Aidshilfe Bochum e.V. and all other colleagues within the WIR network who contributed significantly behind the scenes through feedback, networking, and organizational support.

We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the team at netzfactor GmbH, who made Tabubruch technically possible in the first place. 

We are equally grateful to our colleagues at the Zentrum für digitales Lehren und Lernen in der Medizin (ZDLLM), Ruhr-University Bochum, who, as part of the Virtual WIR, were responsible for developing the elective module “Sexuelle Gesundheit und Sexualmedizin” at the Faculty of Medicine of Ruhr-Universität Bochum and who supported and enriched the project with their academic expertise.

Without you, Tabubruch would not be what it is today.

Judith Ingendoh (she/her)

Funktion & Rolle im Projekt

Research Assistant; Focus: Content creation and creative design, social media

Fachlicher Hintergrund

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy; Master's in Applied Health Sciences

Ein Mythos über Sexualität, den ich gerne aus der Welt schaffen würde

The clitoris is bigger than you think! (Read more here)

Wenn ich ein Thema sexueller Gesundheit besonder wichtig finde, dann ...

We are all sexual beings. It's about time we stopped pretending that this is a taboo.

Annika Heublein (she/her)

Funktion & Rolle im Projekt

Research Assistant; Focus: Content creation and creative design, social media

Fachlicher Hintergrund

B.A. in Social Work/Social Pedagogy, Master's in Social Work and Research

Ein Mythos über Sexualität, den ich gerne aus der Welt schaffen würde

The “hymen” doesn't indicate whether someone has ever had sex. (Read more here)

Wenn ich ein Thema sexueller Gesundheit besonder wichtig finde, dann ...

The many ways to explore one's own sexuality on one's own terms.

Sophie Schuller (she/her)

Funktion & Rolle im Projekt

Project Coordinator

Fachlicher Hintergrund

B.A. in Sociology, M.A. in Health and Diversity in the Workplace

Ein Mythos über Sexualität, den ich gerne aus der Welt schaffen würde

That we shouldn't talk about sexuality. On the contrary: Sexuality deserves an open, respectful, and above all, safe place in our society.

Wenn ich ein Thema sexueller Gesundheit besonder wichtig finde, dann ...

That, overall, we need to talk about this much more openly. We all have questions: in the past, today, and in the future as well. If we don’t learn to talk about sexuality, it becomes even more difficult for us to share our insecurities or ask for help. I want to change that—through greater visibility, more conversations, and more courage to bring this topic to the center stage.

Anja Potthoff (she/her)

Funktion & Rolle im Projekt

Senior Department Physician, Medical Consulting, Co-organizer

Fachlicher Hintergrund

Physician specializing in dermatology and venereology, with additional certification in sexual medicine, among other areas; Treasurer of the DSTIG; Member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State AIDS Commission

Ein Mythos über Sexualität, den ich gerne aus der Welt schaffen würde

You can't tell if you have a sexually transmitted infection. (Learn more here)

Wenn ich ein Thema sexueller Gesundheit besonder wichtig finde, dann ...

That sexuality is an important topic in medical consultations and should be discussed without shame. (More on this here)

Adriane Skaletz-Rorowski (she/her)

Funktion & Rolle im Projekt

Executive Director of WIR, Project Manager

Fachlicher Hintergrund

Molecular biologist and researcher; adjunct professor of Experimental Venereology (a field that deals with sexually transmitted infections) at Ruhr University Bochum

Member of DSTIG e.V. and the DSTIG “Sexual Health” section; member of DAIG e.V. and the HIV/AIDS Competence Network e.V.

Ein Mythos über Sexualität, den ich gerne aus der Welt schaffen würde

Sexually transmitted infections are very rare, and if you do get infected, it’s usually just once. You can find information about STIs here.

Wenn ich ein Thema sexueller Gesundheit besonder wichtig finde, dann ...

Communication is always about prevention, too! You can find out more about communication here.

COMPREHENSIVE, Networked, OPEN

Our Network

WIR is an umbrella organization that brings together: the Interdisciplinary Immunological Outpatient Clinic – Center for Sexual Health – Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology at Ruhr University Bochum; Aidshilfe Bochum e.V.; the Bochum Public Health Department; pro familia e.V.; Madonna e.V.; and Rosa Strippe e.V.

Counseling on topics related to pregnancy, sexuality, partnership and parenting

Counseling on all topics related to queerness

Counseling on HIV, AIDS, and sexual health

Free and anonymous STI testing

Counseling for sex workers

Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology at Ruhr University Bochum

The Center for Sexual Health and Medicine

What people want to know

How can I talk to my child about sexuality?
Zum Thema
How often do I need to get tested for STIs?
Zum Thema
I just got my first boyfriend. We want to use contraception, but we don't know what's good and what's bad. Do you have any tips?
Zum Thema
I got invited to a sex party for the first time. I'm sure people will be taking drugs during sex there. I wanted to get some info first and find out what to expect. Can you help me out?
Zum Thema
I had contact with someone who is HIV-positive and I am pregnant. Do I have HIV too, now? Could there be a risk to my pregnancy?
Zum Thema

Tabubruch ist ein Forschungsprojekt und lebt von ehrlichem Feedback.

Mit einer kurzen, anonymen Umfrage (ca. 2 Minuten) hilfst du uns sehr, die Plattform weiterzuentwickeln.

Wir sind dir dankbar für deine Teilnahme.

Mit Klick auf „Ja, ich nehme teil“ stimmst du der Befragung und der Einwilligungserklärung zu.
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Alter

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Geschlechtszugehörigkeit

Hinweistext zur Frage: Bei manchen Menschen stimmt das bei der Geburt zugeordnete Geschlecht nicht mit dem Geschlecht überein, mit dem sie sich selbst identifizieren.

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