Consent is when one person gives permission to another person to do something.
You need consent to:
● kiss
● hug
● engage in any sexual activities
Both people always need to give consent to any sexual activity. You can ask for consent
by saying:
● Are you feeling alright?
● Do you want to do this?
● Do you want to stop?
There are two types of consent:
● verbal consent
● non-verbal consent (sometimes called body language)
Your partner can give consent by:
● saying ‘yes’
● saying ‘that feels good’
● pulling you closer
● nodding to say ‘yes’
Your partner may not give consent. If they have not given consent, they might:
● say ‘no’
● say ‘I want to stop’
● say ‘I am not sure’
● not say anything when you ask them for consent
● push you away
● turn or look away from you
● hold their arms tightly around their body
● stay very still
It is good to get both verbal and non-verbal consent.
Reading your partner’s body language will help you know if they are comfortable or not. If your partner is not comfortable or unsure, you should stop. They may not be ready, or they may have changed their mind.