What is Consent?

Sexual consent is a clear and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. Consent can only be given if an individual is capable of making an informed decision to participate in the sexual activity in question. This means that everyone involved in a sexual activity must have clearly and freely agreed to that activity; both before and during the sexual activity. It is also imperative that everyone understands the following:

• Silence or the absence of resistance must never be interpreted as consent.
• A person is incapable of giving consent if asleep, unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate.
• A person who has been threatened or coerced (i.e. is not agreeing voluntarily) into engaging in the sexual activity is not consenting to it in a willing and informed fashion.
• A person who is drugged is unable to consent.
• A person’s ability to give consent may be compromised when under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• A person may be unable to give consent if they have a mental disability preventing them from fully understanding the sexual acts being proposed.
• The fact that consent was given in the past to a sexual or dating relationship does not mean that consent is deemed to exist for any future sexual activity.
• A person can withdraw consent at any time during the course of a sexual encounter.
• A person is incapable of freely giving consent to a person in a position of trust, power or authority; such as a teacher, supervisor, or employer.
• Consent cannot be given on behalf of another person.

Consent is ALWAYS required. Without consent, a sexual activity is sexual assault.