Consent

Consent

What is Consent?

  • Consent is affirmative and voluntary words or actions
  • Consent is mutually understandable to all parties
  • Consent is specific to an act and time
  • Consent is NOT compelled by force, threat, deception or intimidation
  • Consent cannot be given by someone who cannot understand the situation
  • Consent cannot be assumed, based on silence or the absence or "no"

Consent

  • Consent for past acts does not mean consent for future acts
  • Consent for some sexual activity does not mean consent for all sexual activity
  • Being in a relationship does not imply consent
  • Consent can be withdrawn at any point without explanation

Consent cannot be given or received when a person is incapacitated. A person is incapable of consent if they are unable to understand the facts, nature, extent, or implications of the situation.  Consent does not exist when the individual initiating the sexual activity knew or should have known of the other person's incapacitation