Consent- do you get it?
This Sexual Health week we will be addressing the key themes of consent; what it means and where you can get support. Keep an eye out for our posts on social media this week – including our live chats with Bromley Youth Council.
Tips on consent:
Clear – are they enthusiastically engaging in the sexual activity? Are they giving verbal permission for each sexual activity? Then you have clear consent.
Ongoing – You should have permission for every activity at every stage of a sexual encounter – everyone is allowed to change their minds!
Coherent – If someone is too intoxicated or incapacitated by alcohol or drugs, or is either not awake or fully awake, they’re incapable of giving consent.
Voluntary – Consent should be given freely and willingly. Repeatedly asking someone to engage in a sexual act until they eventually say yes is not consent, it’s coercion.
Where to get support:
If you have been sexually assaulted, whether as an adult or a young person, it is important to remember that it wasn’t your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.