Understanding Consent

There are no grey areas when it comes to consent.

The legal definition of consent is when we agree by choice and when someone has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. If your body froze, unable to move or speak, you did not give consent.

If you said ‘Yes’ to an act or activity because you feared for yours or your loved ones life or safety, you did not give consent.

Someone cannot give their consent when they are:

• Asleep
• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Coerced
• Scared

Watch Thames Valley Police explain consent in this short video.