Understanding Consent: Empowering Your Choices

Consent means a clear, voluntary, and enthusiastic “yes” before and during any interaction.

It must be informed—everyone understands what they’re agreeing to—and can be withdrawn at any time.

Consent applies to physical touch, sharing personal information, digital content, and emotional boundaries.

• • Freely Given: No pressure, manipulation, or impaired by substances.
• • Reversible: You can change your mind at any point.
• • Informed: All parties have clear, accurate information.
• • Enthusiastic: A genuine desire, not mere compliance.
• • Specific: Consent for one activity doesn’t imply consent for another.

• • Myth: Silence or lack of resistance implies consent. → Fact: Silence is not consent.
• • Myth: Consent once given can’t be withdrawn. → Fact: Consent can always be revoked.
• • Myth: Consent is assumed if you’ve consented before. → Fact: Consent must be given every time.

Use direct language: “Is this okay?” or “Do you want to continue?”

Practice active listening and check in: “I hear you’re unsure—shall we pause?”

Refer to communicationTipsGraphic for more phrasing examples.

• • Positive cues: nodding, forward leaning, relaxed posture.
• • Negative cues: hesitation, pulling away, crossing arms, lack of eye contact.
• • Always ask if you’re uncertain—nonverbal ambiguity requires verbal confirmation.

Role‑play common scenarios—asking to hug, sharing personal data, or intimate situations.

Use the rolePlayFlowchart to structure practice: ask, pause, listen, respond, review.

Reflect on feelings and adjust communication style.

• • Identify your comfort zones and cues indicating you need space.
• • Use “I” statements: “I’m not comfortable with that.”
• • Refer to boundarySettingGraphic to practice asserting limits respectfully.

Ask before sharing images, messages or tagging someone online.

Respect requests to delete content or end digital conversations.

Refer to digitalConsentGraphic for guiding principles in virtual interactions.

• • Reach out to trusted friends or peer groups to discuss consent scenarios.
• • Consult counselors or helplines if you experience pressure or violation.
• • Explore supportResourcesGraphic for local and online resources.

Consent is an ongoing, active process that honors everyone’s autonomy. By understanding principles, practicing communication, setting clear boundaries, and respecting digital and nonverbal cues, you empower yourself and build respectful, healthy relationships.

• • Identify one daily situation where you can practice asking explicit consent.
• • Role‑play a consent conversation with a friend or in the SHELY community.
• • Share the mythVsFactGraphic to start a discussion on consent with someone you trust.