What is consent?
Consent is the voluntary, unambiguous agreement to participate in an act, the nature of which is known to and understood by the consenter. Consent is a decision to engage in mutually acceptable sexual activity given by clear actions or words. It is an informed decision made freely, willingly, and actively by all parties. Consent is informed, knowing, and voluntary, and is active, not passive. Silence or an absence of resistance cannot be interpreted as consent. Consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not imply consent to engage in sexual activity with another; likewise, consent to engage in one form of sexual activity does not imply consent to other forms of sexual activity. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create mutually understandable permission regarding the conditions of sexual activity. Consent to sexual activity may be withdrawn at any time. If consent is withdrawn, all sexual activity must immediately cease.
Someone is NOT giving consent if they are:
- Saying "no" or "stop"
- Moving away or pushing the other(s) away
- Completely motionless or unengaged
- Incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or some other debilitating substance
- Asleep or unconscious
- Physically or psychologically pressured or forced
- Mentally or physically impaired
- Beaten, threatened or confined
- Under the age of consent