Sexual assault: What is consent?

Consent is consent to sexual activity, expressed voluntarily. Sexual assault constitutes a crime in that the acts and activities of a sexual nature take place without the consent of the person concerned. Unless she is under 16, the law states that she cannot give consent. Consent is only valid if it is given freely. If the person is paralyzed with fear or is afraid to react, if they give in out of fear or manipulation, there is no consent. Also, kissing or cuddling a person does not mean that they are consenting to other sexual activities. –RQCALACS

Each partner must consent to a sexual activity: touching, kissing or any other gesture of a sexual nature. At any time, one person has the right to say no and when it is NO, the other must respect.

Consent must be a clearly expressed agreement, free, informed and enthusiastic. If these conditions are not met, there is sexual assault.

A person must be able to give consent for their consent to be valid. According to the law, there are certain situations where a person’s consent is invalid. There is no consent if the person is asleep or unconscious. A person who is sleeping or who is unconscious cannot consent to sexual touching. Her consent is not valid, even though she gave it before going to sleep or losing consciousness.

There is no valid consent if the person is intoxicated by alcohol, drugs or medication.
A person who has consumed alcohol, medication or drugs cannot consent as in the example: "if you are unable to drive your automobile due to impaired faculties, you are not able to consent to a sexual relationship.

" What we want is to promote communication between partners, value respect for others in a healthy relationship and listen to each other’s needs and validate both verbal and non-verbal communication.