Consent

Consent is necessary for 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 is also important in contexts other than sexual activity, including other kinds of physical intimacy (like hugs) and for virtual activity like sharing sexual texts or images.

Consent to Sexual Activity is:

An enthusiastic, mutual agreement between everyone involved
A conversation that requires consciousness and clarity
Asking, not assuming. A "yes" to one thing does not imply a "yes" to all things
A decision that can be revoked at any time

In short, consent is a “yes” when it is safe and OK to say “no.”

There are several circumstances in which consent is not possible. These include, but are not limited to, when someone is: forced, threatened, unconscious, unaware or is incapacitated by any substance (including alcohol). To learn more about the formal UT Austin definition of consent, see the policy.

Additional resources related to consent

Learn more about how Healthyhorns Play it Safe including information on safer sex supplies, contraception, STI testing and more.
Attend a Longhorn Wellness Peer Educator workshop.
The VAV Student Organization is open to all students who want to build a campus culture that values consent and healthy relationships and supports survivors. The VAV Student Org offers a supportive space for learning how to combat interpersonal violence. The student org meets every Thursday from 5 pm to 6 pm at SSB 1.106. To learn more, email us or follow the VAV Instagram page.
Request VAV's interactive workshops. The topics for the presentation and workshops include but are not limited to “Introduction to Interpersonal Violence”, Healthy Relationships, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence and Stalking.

If you have been impacted by interpersonal violence in any way and need support, please contact the Counseling and Mental Health Center, Title IX Office, or Student Emergency Services.