Understanding Consent and Sexual Assault

Consent

• Consent is permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.
• It's crucial to recognize consent.
• Consent is clear and obvious, not a guess.
• If unsure, ask.
• There are various ways to communicate "no."
• Respectful communication with your partner is key to consent.
• Being intoxicated (drunk or high) prevents the ability to give consent.
• Past consent does not guarantee future consent.
• Everyone has the right to change their mind and revoke consent at any time.
• Any sexual activity without consent is a crime, regardless of age.

Sexual Assault

• Sexual assault is any sexual activity forced on someone without their consent.
• Force can be physical, or through threats, bullying, manipulation, alcohol/drugs, or harassment.
• Examples of sexual assault include kissing, touching, groping, flashing, oral sex, intercourse, photographing, etc.

Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault

• Often called "drug rape" or "date rape."
• Someone uses the victim's intoxication (alcohol or drugs) to assault them.
• This can range from unwanted kissing or touching to intercourse.

Sexual Exploitation

• Sexual exploitation is the sexual abuse of a person by exchanging sex or sexual acts for things like drugs, food, shelter, or money.
• It includes creating or viewing pornography, sexually explicit images, or websites.

Relationship Violence

• Dating violence is emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse of one partner by another in a dating relationship where the couple is not living together.

Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence is physical or sexual assault, or threat of such violence, against a partner in a domestic relationship.
• Definitions include opposite-sex and same-sex partnerships.

Sexual Harassment

• Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
• This includes pinching, patting, rubbing, inappropriate jokes, comments, suggestions, etc.
• Unintentional behavior can still constitute sexual harassment.

Where to Get Help

• Durham Rape Crisis Centre: 24-hour crisis line, counselling, support for recent or past abuse (905) 668-9200
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Crisis intervention, information, literature, referrals to support resources (1-800-422-4453)
• Durham Children's Aid Society: Support for abused children or individuals who suspect abuse (905) 433-1551 or (1-800) 461-8140
• Second Base Youth Shelter: Shelter for 16-21 year-olds (416) 261-2733
• Kids Help Phone: Counselling, support for children and youth (1-800-668-6868)