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Consent

"Affirmative consent" means affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that he or she has the affirmative consent of the other or others to engage in the sexual activity. Lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent, nor does silence mean consent. Affirmative consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and can be revoked at any time. The existence of a dating relationship between the persons involved, or the fact of past sexual relations between them, should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of consent.

Gauging Consent

Red: Signs You Should Stop

  • You and your partner are too intoxicated to give consent.
  • Your partner is asleep or passed out.
  • Your partner says ‘no’ or indicates that s/he wants to stop.

Yellow: Signs you should pause and talk

  • You feel like you are getting mixed signals.
  • Your partner has not indicated what s/he is okay with sexual activity.
  • Your partner stops or is not responsive.

Green: Keep communicating

  • Everyone comes to a mutual decision about what is happening.
  • Everyone clearly expresses their comfort with the situation.
  • You feel your decision will be respected if you change your mind.
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