Consent means everyone involved understands what is happening, wants it to happen, and feels safe and comfortable.
Real consent is active, clear, and enthusiastic.
If you’re ever unsure, you ask.

What enthusiastic consent looks like #

Enthusiastic consent is when someone is clearly and confidently saying yes.
It means they are choosing to take part, not being pushed into it.

Enthusiastic consent can look like:

• Smiling or actively engaging
• Clear words like “yes”, “I want to”, “this feels good”
• Responding to touch
• Communicating openly
• Asking what you like
• Checking in with you
• Making eye contact if they feel comfortable
• Showing interest and comfort

If both people are relaxed, talking, and responding to each other, that is a sign of consent.

What is not consent #

If someone is not actively and clearly choosing to take part, it is not consent.

Not-consent can look like:

• Freezing or going still
• Looking scared or tense
• Being silent or non-responsive
• Avoiding eye contact
• Turning away or pulling back
• Not being able to talk
• Saying “I don’t know” or “maybe”
• Being unsure, uncomfortable, or confused

If someone cannot communicate, it is not consent.
If someone feels pressured, it is not consent.

Consent must be clear.
Lack of resistance is not the same as saying yes.

What to do if you’re unsure #

If you don’t know whether someone is comfortable, safe, or ready, stop and ask.
Asking is respectful and shows you care about their wellbeing.

You could say:

• “Are you okay to keep going?”
• “Do you want to do this?”
• “Is this comfortable for you?”
• “We can stop if you want.”

If they hesitate, mumble, freeze, or look unsure, stop straight away.
If they cannot talk, it is not consent.

Asking doesn’t “ruin the moment”.
It makes the moment safe.

If you can’t talk about it, you might not be ready #

Consent involves communication.
If you and the other person can’t talk openly about what you want, what you don’t want, and how you feel, you may not be ready for sexual contact yet. And that’s OK

Feeling able to talk is an important part of trust and safety.

It’s okay to wait.
It’s okay to slow down.
You deserve to feel safe and sure.

Key things to remember #

• Consent must be active, clear, and enthusiastic
• Silence, freezing, or uncertainty is not consent
• If you’re unsure, stop and ask
• You should feel able to talk about what you want
• Safe relationships involve communication, not pressure
• When someone is ready, their enthusiasm will be obvious

Consent should always feel safe, respectful, and mutual.
You deserve nothing less.