Monday 06-02-2023 - 10:41

WHAT IS CONSENT?

Consent is an ongoing mutual agreement between any persons about what they do or don’t want to experience.

When considering whether intimate acts are consensual, keep in mind:  Consent isn’t as simple as “no means no” or “yes means yes.” Consent is a safe, open, and ongoing conversation about the activities you and another person are comfortable with and actively want to experience together.

 

Consent should happen every time. You and the other person should feel safe letting each other know if you’re not comfortable with something, every time. Consent is a process to be established on an ongoing basis, not broad approval based on past behaviour. You always have the right to set and adjust your boundaries based on what you’re comfortable with in the moment.

 

Your relationship status isn’t consent. Whether it’s the first time or the hundredth, a casual or committed relationship, nobody is ever obligated to give consent, even if you’ve done so before. You are the only one with ownership of your body.

 

Consent isn’t a free pass. Saying yes to one act doesn’t imply your consent to others and every act of physical intimacy requires its own consent. If you feel uncomfortable in the moment, you always have the right to stop, even if you previously agreed.

There’s no such thing as implied consent. Flirting with someone, talking to them, or the absence of ‘no’ are not consent. Consent only happens when all parties voluntarily, explicitly, and enthusiastically agree.

 

It’s not Consent if you’re afraid or unable to say no, or manipulated, pressured, or threatened to say yes. It’s also not Consent if you or the other person are unable to give consent, including if you’re asleep, unconscious, or under the influence of substances like alcohol, some prescription medications, and other drugs.

 

Non-consent means stop. If anyone involved isn’t consenting, then what’s happening is or could be rape, sexual assault, or abuse.

 

HELPLINES

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline The 24hr freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge) is available on 0808 2000 247	Non consensual Taking and Sharing of Sexual Images Guide to Support Options for Abuse Help after Rape and Sexual Assault
National Male Survivors Helpline A variety of support is available for male survivors so please don’t ever feel alone.  Safeline’s National Male Survivors telephone helpline is 0808 500 2222 .	Rape and Sexual Assault Rights of Women – Helping Women Through the Law Victim Support: to help anyone affected by crime.