What is Consent?

Consent is giving someone a choice about touch or actions and respecting their answer. Consent is more than a 'yes' or 'no'. It is a dialogue between people about needs, desires and one's level of comfort with any kind of interaction, sexual or otherwise. Consent is an important part of a healthy relationship. A person can give consent and then take it back - you can change your mind at any time.

Enthusiastic:

• The people involved should be enthusiastic and fully informed about will happen during the sexual encounter.

• A person should not need to coerce or manipulate the other to get what they want. Examples of coercion are teasing, frequent requests, and threats of violence or abandonment.

Able to be Retracted:

• Consent is continuous and should be able to be retracted at any time, regardless of previous actions.

• Examples of previous actions can include but are not limited to having performed sexual acts in the past or saying 'yes' and then changing one's mind by saying 'no' a few minutes later.

Sober:

• A person needs to be sober to be able to give consent. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol cannot consent.

• If a person is really interested, they will still be interested when both parties are sober.

Yes!

• Consent is an agreement between people.

• A “yes” as a result of fear, intimidation, coercion, or threat is NOT consent.

• A “yes” by a party unable to consent due to mental status, inebriation, or age is NOT consent.

• If there is ever any doubt, confusion, or supposed mixed message, don’t do it.