Consent involves a person having the freedom and capacity to agree to sexual activity.
‘Freedom’ means a person’s ability to say yes or no of their own free will (and this being respected). ‘Capacity’ means a person understanding that they have choices, being able to make and communicate decisions and understanding consequences.
Here are some examples of when consent cannot be given:
- If someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol they may not have the capacity to give their consent
- If someone is being coerced, manipulated, intimidated or threatened into sexual activity then they are not being given the freedom to give consent
- If someone is unconscious or asleep they cannot give their consent.
- Consent isn’t fixed – a person has a right to change their mind at any time. Sexual activity must stop as soon as consent is withdrawn.
- Capacity to consent may also be affected by learning disabilities, mental health problems and head injuries.
- Anyone under the age of 13 cannot legally consent.
In this section
- Information for survivors
- What is sexual violence?
- What are the effects of sexual violence?
- What is consent?
- Woman Only Support
- Sexual abuse against boys and men
- Young people: Talking about abuse
- Young people: Worried about a friend?
- LGBTQIA+ survivors
- BME Survivors
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation
- Confidentiality
- Leaflets and downloads
- Crisis support
- Therapeutic support
- Practical support
- Group support
- Support and advocacy within the criminal justice system
- What happens when you contact FRASAC?
