What is Consent?

•Consent is quite simple. It requires willingness, choice, agreement, mutual respect, and permission. •Consent requires asking clearly what the other person wants and desires in any kind of close, personal, or intimate interaction and getting confirmation. •When it comes to sex, consent must be a priority and can be withdrawn at any time. All persons involved must decide and agree on when, where, and how to engage in sexual activity. •Sexual consent can only be given when a person has the ability and freedom to agree to any form of sexual activity. • Sexual activity refers to a variety of sexual acts, ranging from individual to interpersonal, for a variety of reasons. It may include behaviour and activities that are intended to arouse the sexual interest of another. • In Caribbean cultural contexts, sexual activity could be interpreted through dance (wining) and courtship rituals (tracking, dealing, talking), which must all be affirmed through consent. • Sexual activity without clear and willing consent is sexual assault. What is Consent? 2