Consent is necessary in all sexual interactions. While talking about what another person is interested in sexually may seem awkward - the consequences of not getting consent are serious and harmful. Any sexual activity without consent is sexual violence.
Consent to Sexual Activity is:
- An enthusiastic, mutual agreement that can be revoked at any time for any reason
- A conversation that requires consciousness and clarity
- Asking, not assuming: a yes to one thing does not imply a yes to all things
- Assent, meaning to agree to something after thoughtful consideration
In short - consent is a YES when it is OK to say NO!
For the formal UT Austin definition of consent, please see the policy. The UT Austin policy details the conditions in which consent is not possible. These include but are not limited to when someone is forced, threatened, unconscious, unaware or has been intentionally impaired by any substance, including alcohol, and is unable to appraise or control their conduct.
Learn more about consent by attending a performance of Get Sexy. Get Consent.
Additional Resources Consent:
- Learn more about how HealthyHorns Play Safe, including information on condoms, contraception and STI testing.
- Attend a HealthyHorns Peer Education workshop.
- Sex Talk, "A comic about communication, consent and gettin' it on" (three part series, click next at the bottom of the image!)
- Where Is Your Line? "The Line Campaign is a non-profit organization and movement that is committed to empowering young leaders to create a world without sexual violence. We create critical dialogues and original media to inspire action. We develop leadership among diverse groups of people reaching and mobilizing them in their communities."
- The Consensual Project "The Consensual Project partners with schools and universities to bring students a fresh understanding of consent. The innovative curriculum, workshops, and website empower young people to incorporate consent into their daily lives. The Consensual Project is committed to helping students connect through consent."
- Project Respect, Yes Means Yes "Project Respect is a youth driven prevention and education program aimed at preventing sexualized violence amongst youth ages 14 - 19. It does this by looking at and challenging the root causes of sexualized violence such as gender stereotypes, power dynamics and miscommunication."
- Scarleteen, "Driver's Ed for the Sexual Superhighway: Navigating Consent"
- Learn more about consent by booking a FREE performance of Get Sexy. Get Consent. on the UT campus. Find out more here.
Together we can build a safer campus
