Consent
Make sure the feeling is mutual.
Consent is an important part of our daily lives and how we interact with those around us. Asking to borrow a friend’s phone before making a call or asking for permission before entering someone’s home comes naturally to us, so why is asking for consent before sex any different?
Consent is a vital part of sexual respect and having healthy sexual relationships. When it comes to sex, consent is not optional.
If someone forces (or tries to force) you to do something sexual that you don't want to do, remember that it's never your fault and it's not okay. If this has happened to you, support is available at UQ and within the broader community.
Need emergency support?
If you are experiencing an emergency or need urgent support in relation to an experience of sexual assault or harassment, then you can call:
- +61 7 3365 3333 UQ Security for on campus emergencies
- 000 for immediate police or ambulance assistance
- 1800 Respect 1800 737 732 for 24/7 counselling support
- Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) 07 3646 5207 for 24/7 Acute Response
- External community support options in Queensland
Consent is...
- Verbal, it is explicitly stated
- Specific to the sexual activity and the way of doing it (ex: with a condom)
- Freely given, without pressure or coercion
- Limited to the specific act and time in which consent is given
- Reversible can be taken away at any time, including during sex
- Informed all parties involved know what they’re agreeing to
Consent is not...
- Incapacitated, consent can not be given when drunk, high or unable to think clearly
- Coerced, Threatened or Manipulated
- Assumed, there shouldn’t be any doubt as to whether consent was given
- Silence, the absence of a “no” is not a “yes”
- Optional, without it, it’s not sex, it’s sexual assault
Learn more about consent
Cycling Through Consent
Sexual consent is key, and it’s just like consenting to go on a bike ride. To find out how, let’s go cycling through consent in the video here.