Affirmative consent

Affirmative Consent is a term used in sexual ethics and law to describe a conscious, voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. It is often summarized by the phrase "yes means yes," contrasting with the traditional model of "no means no."

Definition

Affirmative consent is defined as an active, clear, and voluntary agreement by all parties to engage in sexual activity. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that they have the affirmative consent of the others. This consent can be withdrawn at any time, and consent to one form of sexual activity does not imply consent to other forms of sexual activity.

Legal Aspects

In the legal system, affirmative consent is increasingly being used as the standard in sexual assault cases. This shift is particularly noticeable in college campuses across the United States, where affirmative consent policies are being implemented to address the issue of sexual violence. These policies often state that silence or lack of resistance does not constitute consent, and that consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual encounter.

Criticisms

Critics of affirmative consent argue that it is unrealistic and difficult to enforce. They contend that sexual encounters often involve nonverbal communication and that requiring explicit verbal consent can be awkward or unnatural. Some also argue that affirmative consent policies can lead to false accusations of sexual assault.

See Also

• Sexual assault
• Consent (criminal law)
• Rape