If you have been sexually assaulted or raped please remember it is not your fault, ever, no matter the situation.
Head over to the NHS website for more information on the next steps.
If you need to speak to someone, some great helplines are:
Learn all about consent with Cliterally The Best! What it is, why it’s so important, useful stats and how to stay safe.
Sexual consent is when someone actively agrees to be sexual with someone.
Consent lets someone know that sex is wanted and can be withdrawn at any point.
Consent isn’t what we wear or where we go, it is an enthusiastic yes.
Any sexual activity without consent is rape or sexual assault – not just penetration. Including stealthing.
You always get the final say over what happens to your body, it doesn’t matter if you’ve slept together before or are even married, your partner must respect this and vice versa.
There are laws surrounding consent. People who are under the influence (drugs or alcohol) cannot consent to sex.
Anyone under the age of 18 cannot consent. There are also laws to protect those who are under 18 from being pressured into sex with someone much older than them. Different countries have different ages of consent.
No is definitely not consent but the following phrases or anything along those lines is also no. Remember, if it’s not an enthusiastic yes, it’s not consent.
“Anyone can be a victim — no matter their gender, sexual orientation, or age. But certain groups of people are more likely than others to experience sexual assault in their lives. Women (especially women of color), LGBT identified people, and people with developmental disabilities are more likely to experience sexual assault over the course of their lifetimes.” – Planned Parenthood
Asking for consent doesn’t have to be a mood killer or done in a serious, clinical way – consent can be sexy and super hot!
Remember: It's hot but it's also mandatory and the bare minimum, not a sexy addition.
Coercion is when someone pressures you into sexual activities with them.
It can present itself in many different ways, sometimes it's really obvious, "if you don't have sex with me, I will break up with you", but sometimes it's more subtle, "Come on, we haven't had sex in ages, I will be quick".
Either way it is when someone doesn't accept your 'no' and continues to try and persuade you to change your mind. This is not consent.
If you have been sexually assaulted or raped please remember it is not your fault, ever, no matter the situation.
Head over to the NHS website for more information on the next steps.
If you need to speak to someone, some great helplines are:
Head over to the ONS GOV website for even more statistics.
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