What is Consent?

Consent means having permission. To get that permission, the following must be true:

• Both parties are fully conscious.
• Both parties have equal ability to act.
• Both parties are positive and sincere in their desires.
• Both parties have clearly communicated their intent.

It is the responsibility of the initiator in the situation to get the permission of the other person.

If one person uses force, threat, intimidation, or takes advantage of the other person's mental incapacities or physical helplessness (including incapacitation or helplessness due to alcohol), then there is no consent.

Each person also has the right to change her or his mind at any point--consenting to some sexual activity is not a blanket agreement to all sexual activity. Every person has control over her or his body.

Remember, in order to get consent you have to ask. Do not assume the other person is consenting by their actions or body language alone. Do not assume that if the person consented before, they will consent in the future--you have to ask each time.

Our "Got Consent?" campaign, including cups and t-shirts, is adapted from a campaign created by the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program at the University of New Hampshire. View their campaign at http://www.consent.unh.edu

Grant statement: This project was supported by grant # 2005-WA-AX-0020 awarded by the Violence Against Women Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of View in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Last updated 03/29/2007