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Consent: What It Is and What It Isn’t

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Portland chapter.

Consent is an agreement.

It’s an agreement between two willing, excited, and understanding participants. 

It isn’t a concession. 

It isn’t something that should be taken, demanded, or expected by an aggressor.

 

Consent is “yes” and “let’s go for it”.

Consent is open, positive, and honest communication.

It isn’t “no” or “I’m not sure”. 

It isn’t an assumption, guess, or expectation of what someone will do.

 

Conset is giving and asking for permission

Consent isn’t flirting or kissing as an invitation for more. 

 

Consent is given by a concious and aware person.

Consent isn’t given by a ‘provocative’ outfit.

 

Consent is only achievable sober. 

Consent isn’t something someone under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can give. 

 

Consent is situational.

Consent isn’t a binding, irrevocable contract you enter after one “yes”. 

 

Consent is necessary. 

Sex without consent is rape. 

 

https://www.rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent 

 

Kelsie is from Klamath Falls, Oregon. She is a sophomore pursuing a Political Science and Spanish Double Major at the University of Portland. She has five brothers and two sisters. Her hobbies include hiking, watching movies, and telling bad jokes.