Consent happens when all people involved in any kind of sexual activity agree to take part by choice. They also need to have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.  Consent is required for all sexual activity both in and outside of relationships and non-consensual sexual activity is an offence and against the law.

If you choose to be sexually active please it is your responsibilty to ensure all activity is consensual and also understand every person has the right to say no at any time - including changing their mind. We all have the right to not want sex or any other sexual activity (kissing, sexual touching, performing a sexual act) and many people chose not to engage in sexual activity at all.  You must respect their choice.

Consent involves asking every time. If someone has consented before it does not automatically mean they want to have sex with you again, regardless of whether you are in a relationship with that person. We also all have the right to change our minds at any time, or to consent to one sexual activity with someone but not another type of sexual activity. 

Without consent, any kind of sexual activity is sexual violence.

If people are in situations where they are unable to give their consent, for example if they are sleeping, unconscious or intoxicated any sexual activity with that person could be deemed as sexual assault as the other person is unable to give their consent.

Many of the myths surrounding consent and sexual violence can make victims and survivors feel as though they are somehow to blame. It can also make them feel that what happened to them wasn’t ‘real’ sexual violence.  This is not the case - if a person doesn't consent to sexual activity then this is classed as sexual violence and all of the responsibility and blame sits with the perpetrator(s).