Thread by @just1doctorwala

hey India,

It's 2021,

Let's talk about sexual consent!

There are so many misnomers and misconceptions

Even our legal statutes on this issue needs to be updated

#thread

What is sexual consent?
Sexual consent is where a person has the freedom to agree to sexual activity. It is vital the person instigating sex makes sure their partner is participating freely and readily.

To have sex without consent is to commit rape.

Responsibility for rape rests solely with the perpetrator. The below attributes do not automatically mean consent to sex.

1. Dating, flirting, kissing or being friendly or intimate does not mean consent

2. Consenting in the past or being in a relationship does not mean consent is automatically given in the future,

3. Being married or in a relationship does not mean automatic consent, (***Indian law makers please note***)

4. Both parties have to agree to sex. When someone is asleep or unconscious they cannot give consent.

5. Someone on drugs or too drunk to make decisions doesn’t have the mental capacity to give consent,

6. If someone is on drugs or is too drunk to consent, stop. Wait until they are sober and ask again.

If you think one or both people are incapable of consenting step in and say something before it goes too far.

Other things can also affect a person’s capacity to consent, for example a serious mental health problem, learning disability or a head injury.

Having capacity means the person can make and communicate a decision, understand the consequences and know they have a choice. If they cannot do this, they cannot give consent.

Partners have the right to withdraw their consent at any time.

Once consent is withdrawn sexual activity must stop immediately. To continue is to commit a crime.

Make sure you have Sexual Consent

The person seeking or instigating sex can confirm if they have consent both verbally and by checking the other person’s body language.

If they do not have consent, or the other person is not capable of giving consent, they must stop.

You should:

1. Check with partners each time a new type of sexual activity is started,

2. Check with them on each occasion any sexual conduct begins,

3. Look at their body language and facial expression to see if they are eager and comfortable,

4. Ask them if they are okay,

5. Know that silence, or the absence of a "no" does not guarantee somebody is consenting,

6. Stop, if they seem unhappy, or you are not sure if they are consenting,

7. Know that a clear affirmative freely-given "yes" indicates consent.

This 2015 video released by British police attempts to explain sexual consent using a cup of tea as an analogy for sex.

Tea and Consent via @YouTube

Follow #ConsentisEverything and visit consentiseverything.com

Please be kind
Be caring
Be loving
Be understanding
Be Human!