COnsent
Something that is absolutely essential before having sex is consent. Consent means that the people who are involved in the interaction (any type -- penetrative sex, kissing, touching) are consciously agreeing to take part in it. Not having consent to perform a sexual or physical act on someone is a case of sexual harassment or assault, which is illegal and can have very serious consequences. Consent cannot be given by someone that is underage (under 18 years old), intoxicated (under the influence of alcohol or other substances), or not having full consciousness. Consent is also not permanent: if someone consents to one sexual activity, they can still say “no” at any time and consent is revoked. If the activity continues after this point, it is also considered sexual assault.
How can one ensure that they have consent to continue with a sexual activity? Consent is given through communication, and it is important to communicate with your partner to set boundaries before engaging in sexual acts. Even after this, continue to ask for consent as you progress with any activity, and be respectful if your partner asks you to stop. Also, look for enthusiastic, explicit, and voluntary signs of consent. Continually asking “Is this ok?” and listening to your partner for affirmative, positive confirmation and reciprocation can be a good way to ensure consent. The absence of a “no” does NOT mean “yes.” If your partner is unengaged or upset, STOP and communicate before moving on.
Consent needs to be given by anyone who is being involved in any kind of sexual activity, and it needs to be continually reinforced throughout, and any time the activity occurs again. This is an extremely important issue as it causes millions of cases of sexual violence, assault, and rape, which can be detrimental to the victims involved. If you have or are experiencing any type of interaction where you have not given consent, consider talking to a trusted person, calling a sexual violence hotline, or contacting authorities who can help.