Consent

S2S Definition

Consent is express permission for participating in any sexual act.

The ABC's of Consent as Created by Survivors to Superheroes

Consent for any sexual activity should include the ABC’s:

A

ctive Agreement: Consent begins with a discussion. Boundaries are talked about and actively listened to. An agreement is reached on what activities will be ok.

B

eneficial to All: All the people walk away happy and fulfilled. Sexual activity is safe and happy for everybody involved.

C

ontinuing Communication: There is ongoing communication throughout the interaction. This gives everyone an opportunity to say what they do and don’t like throughout the interaction, and to change their mind if they want to.

Dictionary Definitions

Compliance in or approval of what is done or proposed by another: Acquiescence.

Permission to do something.

Permission, approval, or agreement; sanction; acquiescence;

Agreement in sentiment, opinion, a course of action, etc.

A Deeper Look
  •  It’s necessary that everybody involved in a sexual or intimate situation must give verbal consent beforehand. (By sexual act we are talking about kissing, sex, and everything in between.)
  • You can only give consent if you are sober and awake. People who are drunk, high, unconscious, or drugged are unable to give consent.
  • Consent is not binding and you can change your mind at any point no matter how far the sexual activity has progressed.
  • If you have consented to a specific act, it does not mean you have consented to everything. For example, saying yes to vaginal sex does not mean that you have consented to anal sex. Similarly, if you have consented to protected sex, the other person taking off their condom without telling you would be a violation of consent. Consenting to be photographed or recorded does not mean that you have consented to have that recording shared with others. 
  • If you are being pressured, persuaded, or threatened into participating in a sexual act, it is non-consensual. Consent can only be given if you choose to participate of your own free will.
  • Consent is always necessary, even if you are in a relationship including, for example, non-monogamous relationships, friends with benefits, short- and long-term relationships, and marriages.