If you need to talk to someone right away call the BC Crisis Centre: 604-872-3311 or WAVAW’s 24-hour toll-free crisis line at 1-877-392-7583
What is consent?
Consent is an enthusiastic and freely given YES.
Consent is about good communication, and good communication is sexy. Communicating with our partner can increase safety, pleasure, and intimacy.
Consent is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved must consent – not just the person who initiated - everyone.
Consent can always be withdrawn. Consent is not a binding contract. We can always withdraw our consent if we’re not into it at any point.
Consenting to one sexual act does not mean consenting to another. Consenting to oral sex does mean we’re consenting to anal sex. Consenting on Friday does not mean consenting on Saturday.
Nothing makes consent automatic or unnecessary. Being in a relationship with someone does not give us consent. Saying “I love you” is not consent.
In some situations, full, informed, and free consent cannot be given or shared. These include: being drunk, high, severely stressed out (grieving, ill, seriously upset), or unable to understand the other person’s words or other means of communication. Not stopping when someone is incapable of giving consent is sexual assault.
Non-consent means STOP. If there’s no consent through actions or our words, STOP. Not stopping is sexual assault.
A lack of NO does NOT mean YES.
If we don’t consent to a sexual act, it’s sexual assault.
Report Sexual Assault: If we were sexually assaulted, it is not our fault. We can report sexual assault at a clinic, hospital, or police department. If you need to talk to someone right away call the BC Crisis Centre: 604-872-3311 or WAVAW’s 24-hour toll-free crisis line at 1-877-392-7583.
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