Consent
(Noun) /kənˈsɛnt/
: agreement to participate in something.
: In the context of sex, if you are made to do something that you don’t consent to, it is a criminal offence (sexual assault or rape).
In terms of the law, consent is only valid if it is given:
- Voluntarily (not forced)
- Expressly (silence is not consent)
- Knowingly (you must be sober and aware of what you are consenting to)
- Specific (to a particular act, like kissing, taking clothes off or sex)
* There are specific rules about consent when it comes to people under the age of 18 – see Teens.