Consent is the basis for all healthy, positive sexual behavior. In an ideal world, all sexual activity would be asked for and joyously consented to; consent would be a part of desire. However, many individuals and social groups hold attitudes about consent which are unhealthy, or even illegal.
The attitude of 'I have access to your body until you say no' is unhealthy; the attitude of 'I am entitled to access to your body at all times, even or perhaps especially when you are drunk or when I can force or coerce you into sex' is illegal.
Consent is a learning process. Learning how to express your sexuality in a consent-based way is part of learning how to cultivate healthy relationships.
- Center for Violence Prevention, College of St Scholastica This site is meant to help students, faculty, and staff get a clearer understanding of critical issues related to college students such as sexual assault & harassment, alcohol use and violence,and care strategies.
- The Consensual Project Brings students a fresh understanding of consent. The innovative curriculum, workshops, and website empower young people to incorporate consent into their daily lives.
- Clarifying Consent: Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence on a College Campus (PDF:15pages/107KB) Sexual assault policies are only as effective as students' understanding and use of them. How do students know what they mean for actual behavior? Ideas here.
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