With love being in the air, let’s be responsible and make sure we are all on the same page with what true sexual consent looks like.
Sexual consent is an issue that is often misinterpreted and with that comes confusion on what consent is and is not.
An easy way to remember is that consent is a verbal, excited, sober “Yes” from all parties involved.
For example, “Yes, I want you to do X to my Y.”
Consent is not silence. It is not being pressured to do something for someone else’s gain.
For example, “C’mon, you love me, right?” or, “Don’t be a tease. We’re both already naked.”
Consent can not legally be given whenever drugs and/or alcohol is involved.
When parties are impaired, boundaries are not being established or respected.
Without clear communication from all involved, limits are crossed and sexual assault is now a factor.
While the majority of sexual assault victims are women, anyone can be a victim of sexual assault.
Let’s remember that consent requires active communication from all involved.
Just because someone is sexually aroused and their body is responding to the sexual response cycle, that does not mean that they are consensual to what is happening.
For example, just because a male has an erection, that does not mean that his partner(s) have his consent; or a woman “being wet” does not always mean that she wants to have sex.
Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s remember those powerful questions, “Do I have your consent?” and “Can I do X to your Y?”
Spread consensual love.