Consent

USC's parameters of consent:

• Both are equally free to act (if one person is pinning down the other, both are not free to act).
• Both people are fully conscious.
• Both individuals are positive and sincere in desires.
• Both are clear about their intent (often people are taught to say certain things or be manipulative in order to get what they want).

Consent is an ongoing process. Consent occurs continuously and moment to moment. It is ongoing communication. Receiving an indication of interest early in the evening is not an open invitation for any type of sexual interaction later.

Being involved in a sexual relationship requires clear and direct communication skills. You will use these skills whether you are dating, married, or connecting with someone for only one night.

Each person involved in a sexual relationship is responsible for both clearly giving and clearly receiving consent.  

Consent cannot truly be given if a person is incapacitated, asleep, or unconscious.

72% of female students who experienced rape were so intoxicated by alcohol they were unable to consent (Mohler-Kuo, 2004).

Clear communication is the easiest way to ensure consent. And remember, there are different types of consent: verbal, non-verbal, and written.

It is both party’s  responsibility to ask for and clearly give consent for every sexual act each time it occurs. It is best to get consent before sexual contact, when both parties are sober, and in a comfortable and private place. However, this consent is not final and consent should continue as sexual acts progress.

When asking for or giving consent, it is important to be clear.

Do not make assumptions regarding the other person’s intentions