In an effort to decrease sexual assault incidents, students are practicing affirmative consent.
What Is Affirmative Consent?
Affirmative consent is defined as a knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity.
Consent can be given by words or actions if those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in sexual activity.
Silence or lack of resistance, in and of itself, does not demonstrate consent.
The definition of consent does not vary based upon a participant’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
But what does consent look like in real life situations? It means everyone is experiencing pleasure and feels safe during intimate moments including hugs and kisses to sexual intercourse.
Knowing YES!: Affirmative Consent empowers students to think about what their “yes” is and what they expect out of their relationships. By defining their own yes, students are more likely to communicate that with their partners and respect their partner’s wishes.
Interested in having SOAR train your team, sorority, fraternity, or student organization? Submit a request for a SOAR Knowing YES! training today.