**Disclaimer**
Due to the nature of the subject some of the content in this article may not be suitable for some of our younger readers.
Someone either consents to something, or they don’t. Sounds simple right? So how is there ever any confusion with this? Are people making excuses or is it really that confusing? We take an in-depth look at when consent goes wrong.
What is consent?
Consent is an agreement to any sexual activity; from kissing, touching, sex acts and full sex. It also includes intimate pictures or video (it’s illegal to share it with others without consent).
The law says consent is:
- Someone agreeing ‘by choice’ to the sexual experience, and
- Having the freedom and capacity to make that choice (capacity means someone’s ability to understand their choices and what they are about to do).
Why all the confusion?
There can be confusion around this subject. Some people who are accused of rape or sexual assault argue that they believed the other person had consented to sex. However, in many cases it appears that there is a lack of understanding about what consent is, and what it looks like. Confused? Here are some examples of when consent is not, or cannot, be given:
- The person is drunk or on drugs and their ability to make a decision is affected
- If they are under 16 they’re too young to give consent by law
- When unconscious someone can’t give consent, even if they agreed to it earlier
- If someone says ‘yes’ and then changes their mind. They have a right to say no at any point
- The absence of a ‘no’ does not mean a ‘yes’. Some people might not be as able to say ‘no’, but this doesn’t mean that they’re giving consent.
- Someone wearing revealing clothes, flirting with you, or kissing you does not mean that they’re giving consent to have sex.
- Giving in after sexual pressuring and persistent attempts to have sex against their will
Check out the FPA’s leaflet: Consent – Giving it, getting it, respecting it!
The absence of a ‘no’ does not mean ‘yes’
Rape or sexual assault can have devastating consequences on people, for the victim and the accused. When alcohol or drugs is involved the lines can become very blurred. But the message is clear – if someone does not have the capacity to make that decision then consent cannot be given. Take these real examples:
- After drinking heavily at a house party a 17-year-old boy was found guilty of raping a girl whilst she was unconscious. He argued that she had given consent, but video footage showed that she was clearly out of it.
- A man was sentenced to 8 years in prison after claiming that a young woman had consented to sex with him. The girl was visibly very drunk and was a stranger to him. He tried to argue that she had agreed to have sex with him, but it was accepted that she wasn’t in a fit state to give consent because of how drunk she was.
Non-verbal signs
So if someone doesn’t say ‘no’ how can you tell if they don’t want sex, or if they want to stop? There are non -verbal signs that should be spotted. Perhaps they don’t feel comfortable saying ‘no’ or ‘stop’ but they will show it in a different way. Maybe they’re trying to pull away, removing the other person’s hands from their body, crying, looking or acting frightened or upset, keeping their legs closed or trying to get away. In spite of these non-verbal signs, some people might claim it was consensual because that person didn’t say no. The law has changed; the accused now has to prove that the person they’re accused of raping or assaulting did agree to have sex.
So while the lines can get blurred when alcohol or drugs is involved it’s vital that you are aware of consent. Just because they didn’t say no doesn’t mean they were consenting.
**It is important to be aware that if you are under 16 you are not legally able to give consent. You are still classed as a child by the legal system. Some young people do choose to have sex before they are legally old enough. This is still classed as breaking the law. The police may choose to take no action in this situation, however there is no guarantee of this. If either partner is under 13 the police would always take action. **
Need more information?
If you are unsure about consent and want to discuss this then get in touch with Meic. They’re here everyday 8am-midnight to offer support with further advice and information. If you feel that you may have been a victim of sexual assault we would always encourage you to speak to a trusted adult such as a parent, doctor, teacher or social worker who may encourage and support you to report this to the police.
Meic is an information and advocacy helpline for children and young people aged 0-25 in Wales. We are open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. You can contact us free on the phone (080880 23456), text message (84001) or online chat.