I don’t know who needs to hear this, but consent is mandatory.
The topic of “consent” has been prevalent in the public eye, with countless allegations of sexual assault and harassment being brought against major celebrities icons, political candidates, businessmen and academic institutions. Still, far to often the simple concept of consent is somehow lacking of clarity. This contributes to negative interactions
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
No is no, so does these expressions :
“Maybe”
“I Don’t Know”
“…”
Read : silence
“Not Today”
“I Don’t Want It Anymore”
“Stop”
“I’m not ready”
“Let Me Think About it”
Threatened To say “Yes”
Yes Means one thing only :
Freely given consent where both person’s needs, wants and delivers are an integral par of the interaction. In other words, consent is clear, coherent, willing and ongoing.
Consent is clear and a active It is expressed through words or actions that create mutually understandable permission. Consent is never implied, and the absence of a no is not a yes.
Consent also coherent. This means people incapacitated by drugs or alcohol cannot consent. Someone who cannot make rational, reasonable decisions because she or she lacks the capacity to understand the ‘who, what, when, where, why or how‘ of the situation cannot consent. People who are sleep or in another vulnerable position cannot consent.
Consent means willingness. Consent is never given under pressure. Consent is not obtained through psychological or emotional manipulation. Consent cannot be obtained through physical violence or threat. Someone in an unbalanced power situation (i.e. someone under your authority) cannot consent.
Lastly, consent is ongoing. Consent must be granted every time. Consent must be obtained at each step of interaction and physical contact. If someone consents to one physical and intimate activities, she or he may or may not be willing to go further.
The article was initially published on 5th March 2022.
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