Consent
YES? + YES = YES! – Sexual Consent Campaign
#MAKENODOUBT
Thank you to everyone that participated in the making of the video
Sexual consent must be clear
You can always change your mind
It’s good to check in with each other
It’s fine to slow things down or stop
What is consent?
Consent is the foundation of respectful relationships and sex.
Consent means both people freely and voluntarily agree to sexual activity. It also means taking responsibility to ensure the other person is comfortable at all times. A person can withdraw their consent at any time.
Consent can’t be given if a person is under 16 years of age, unable to understand what they are consenting to, or are asleep or unconscious. If someone is manipulated or coerced or affected by drugs or alcohol, this also impacts on their ability to provide consent.
When establishing consent it’s important to remember that:
- consent can’t be assumed – always ask and look for non-verbal cues and body language;
- the absence of “no” doesn’t mean “yes”;
- consent can be withdrawn at any time – it’s OK for people to change their minds or stop at any point;
- it’s never okay to pressure or coerce anyone. Sexual activity without consent is sexual assault.
Age of consent
The legal age for consensual sex in New South Wales is 16.
Need information or support?
NSW Rape Crisis
Telephone and online counselling for anyone who is or has experienced sexual violence and their supporters
24 hours, 7 days a week.
1800 424 017
http://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/
1800 RESPECT
Sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and support
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
http://www.1800respect.org.au/
NSW Sexual Assault Strategy
The YES? + YES = YES! sexual consent campaign is part of the NSW Sexual Assault Strategy. The NSW Government is investing more than $200 million over four years to respond to sexual assault and support victims.
Better community education about consent, trauma informed training and tougher accountability for perpetrators are among a range of measures to be introduced as part of the NSW Sexual Assault Strategy. A review of consent in NSW legislation to determine if the law needs to be amended to better protect victims and survivors of sexual assault is currently underway.
The Sexual Assault Strategy can be viewed at https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/violence_prevention/nsw-sexual-assault-strategy.