What Consent Isn't, And What It Is | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

What Consent Isn't, And What It Is

Just in case the instructions aren't quite clear yet.

110
What Consent Isn't, And What It Is
William Warby

Consent is not "no".

If I say no, I mean it. Don't touch me.

My clothes are not consent.

The garments with which I choose to cover myself are in no way affiliated with your permissions to touch me.

Consent isn't me issuing you a challenge.

If I've made it clear that I don't want you to touch me, I am not asking you to convince me otherwise. I am not challenging you to get me to change my mind.

Consent isn't an "I'm not sure".

I'm not asking you to prove your skills to me. Don't try to force a "yes" out of me.

It's not consent if you lie to me.

Don't manipulate me. If I'm not in a state in which I can give consent, don't trick me into thinking it's okay. If you mislead me into thinking you're a good person with good intentions, you are not truly getting my consent.

It's not consent if I stay silent.

Just because I'm not saying "no" doesn't mean I want you to touch me. Just because I'm not fighting back doesn't mean I want you to touch me. Just because I'm asleep or under the influence of any substance doesn't mean you're allowed to touch me because you think I'll never find out.

Consent is not given through means of intimidation.

Do not scare me into letting you touch me. Threats, be they verbal or physical, may force a "yes" out of me, or at the very least, I'll freeze. Coerced consent is not proper consent. Do not try to blackmail me. Do not use my sexual orientation or gender identity to shame me or attack me. Do not use your position of authority or social status to take advantage of me. Do not try to guilt trip me.

Consent is not my immobility.

Maybe I'm physically impaired and I cannot stop you. Maybe I'm dissociating so hard that I can't feel anything anymore. Maybe I'm petrified. If I'm not moving, don't touch me.

Refusing to give consent is not just me playing hard to get.

I don't want you to try to take me by force. Unless we've discussed a forceful scenario and established safe words, you are not to touch me.

Consent isn't automatically bestowed just because we've done it before.

We could be dating. We could be friends with benefits. We could be married. None of that matters. Consent must be given every time.

Consent doesn't mean "get me drunk".

If you feel that you have to get me intoxicated to try to get me to let you touch me, are you sure that it's worth the effort? A drunk person cannot give consent.

It's not consent if I change my mind.

Yeah, I might be into it one minute and totally out of the mood the next minute. When I announce I don't want to continue, I draw a line. You are to respect that line.

Consent is an enthusiastic affirmation.

A happy "yes"! Maybe some laughter! Smiles and sounds and fun!

Consent is active participation.

Reciprocation is important! Unless you've got some prior arrangement, both parties are likely to be very involved!

Consent is informed.

Make sure you let your partner know exactly what you'd like to get out of the experience. Clear up confusions and make sure there isn't any misleading going on! If you want to try something you aren't sure your partner will like, run it by them first to see if they're cool with experimenting, and if not, talk about why they might not want to do it! Don't coerce them or guilt them, but do let them know that you just want to make them feel good!

Consent is given more than once in an encounter.

Don't forget to ask when moving on to the next part of the tumble! Making sure that your partner is okay and happy at each step of the way can be fun!

Consent is important!

You want everyone to have a good time, right? You're not trying to take advantage of someone to assert power over them, right? You're not trying to scar someone for life, right? You're not trying to ruin someone else's life as well as your own, right? For everyone's sake, remember to ask for your partner's consent!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

184
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

446610
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

19967
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

43404
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments