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Understanding Consent
What is consent?
In Canada, the law very clearly states that there has to be an affirmative 鈥測es鈥� - or voluntary agreement - to engage in sexual activity. Sexual assault occurs when consent is absent and it is a criminal offence. This means that consent must be an active process, without the influence of coercion. One should never assume consent.
- Consent is active and continuous, not passive or silent.
- It is the responsibility of the person who wants to engage in physical contact or sexual activity to make sure that they have consent from the other person(s) involved.
- Consent is not the absence of 鈥渘o鈥� or silence.
- Consent to one sexual act does not constitute or imply consent to a different sexual act.
- Consent is required regardless of the parties鈥� relationship status or sexual history together.
- Consent cannot be given by a person who is incapacitated by alcohol or drugs or who is unconscious (including being asleep) or otherwise lacks the capacity to give consent.
- Consent is not possible if an individual uses their position of power or authority to manipulate someone into saying 鈥測es.鈥�
- If a survivor鈥檚 judgement is impaired, consent is not valid.
For more information visit:
Consent Comes First Everywhere
- "Is it okay to give you a hug or to touch you?"
- "What pronouns do you use?"
- "Is it okay to take a picture?"