5.1. Defining Consent

Consent is the active, continuous, informed, and voluntary agreement to engage in any sexual or physical contact.

• Consent cannot be given when someone is unable to give consent, such as when incapacitated due to alcohol or drug consumption, or if they do not understand what is being asked of them.
• Consent cannot be implied and can be revoked at any time without fear of repercussion.
• Consent cannot be given when being threatened or coerced, or when induced to engage in the contact by someone in a position of power, trust, or authority.
• Consenting to one type of contact does not mean that consent is given for every type of contact.
• Consent is required regardless of the relationship status or sexual history between the individuals involved.
• Consent cannot be given by anyone other than the person participating in the sexual contact.

This definition is from UWaterloo’s Policy 42: Prevention of, and Response to Sexual Violence.

Freely given – Consenting is a choice you make without pressure, manipulation, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Informed – You can only consent to something if you have the full story. For example, if someone says they will use a condom and then they don’t, there isn’t full consent.

Enthusiastic – When it comes to sex, you should only do stuff you WANT to do, not things that you feel you’re expected to do.

Specific – Saying yes to one thing (like going to the bedroom to make out) doesn’t mean you’ve said yes to others (like having sex).