Consent and free agreement to sex
If you or someone you know needs support, chat online with a specialist practitioner or contact our organisation on (03) 5222 4318 or [email protected] (Barwon) or (03) 5381 1211 or [email protected] (Wimmera).
Helping young people understand consent and free agreement
Sexual assault is the umbrella term for a wide range of harmful and criminal behaviours, including:
- rape
- sexual harassment
- indecent assault
- child sexual assault
- exposing of genitals such as ‘flashing’
- stalking
- watching someone without their permission when they are naked or engaged in sexual activities
- forcing or coercing someone to watch or participate in pornography
- posting sexual images of someone on the Internet without their consent
- stealthing
Remember:
- Consent means free and voluntary agreement- it’s a shared understanding between both people
- Checking for consent is always your responsibility
- Anyone can take back consent at any time – no matter how far they’ve gone
- Sexual perpetration without consent is rape – it’s a serious crime
- Sexual assault covers other sexual acts without consent – it’s a serious crime
- A person cannot consent to sex if they’re outside the age of consent, asleep, unconscious or so affected by drugs or alcohol they have no way of freely agreeing
- The essentials for healthy relationships are consent, respect and communication.
Further Information
Why Young People Really, really Need To Think About Consent At Schoolies
Legal Aid Victoria Sex and Consent Wallet Card
Legal Aid Victoria Age of Consent Wallet Card