What is Consent?
- To consent means to give approval and to agree by free will.
- Consent is based on choice.
- Consent is active, not passive.
- Consent is possible only when there is equal power.
- Giving in because of fear is not consent.
- In consent, both parties must be equally free to act.
- Going along with something because of wanting to fit in, feeling bad, or being deceived is not consent.
- In consent, both parties must be fully conscious and have clearly communicated their consent.
IF YOU CAN'T SAY "NO" COMFORTABLY, THEY "YES" HAS NO MEANING. IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO ACCEPT A "NO," THEN "YES" HAS NO MEANING.
source: Sexual Assault Prevention through Peer Education. Carrothers & Rypisi, 1997.
