Sexual Consent and Healthy Sexuality

Student Services is a great resource for you and should be first contacted if you need any help with sexual health, including physical sexual health, sexual assault, and counselling to discuss sexual orientation, rather than library staff.  They are located in Room 211 in the Main Campus.  However, this guide is also here to help you inform yourself about the importance of sexual consent and healthy sexuality. Resources are available for survivors of sexual assault, violence, and crime, and there are also resources for students and educators to learn about, promote, and support a culture of consent and healthy sexuality.

What is sexual consent?

Consent is when you clearly and freely agree to engage in sexual activity.  Consent IS:

• Freely given: it must be given without manipulation, pressure, or influence of substances. 
• Current: it is given each time you engage in sexual activity, and you can change your mind at any time.
• Enthusiastic: it is a 100% "Yes" in words and actions.
• Informed: you need to know what you’re saying yes to.
• Specific: saying yes to one thing doesn’t mean saying yes to other things.
• Consent is about respect and safety: it is a key part of healthy sexuality and healthy communication.  

Consent IS NOT:

• Silence: if a person doesn’t reply, there is no consent.
• Maybe/hesitation: if the person isn't enthusiastic, there is no consent.
• Unconscious/sleeping: if the person cannot respond, there is no consent.
• Intoxicated: if the person incapacitated by alcohol or drugs, they cannot give consent.
• Manipulated: if a person uses their position of power/authority to manipulate the other person, there is no consent.
• Implied: consent is not given by past behaviour, relationship status, what someone wears, where someone is, etc.

The bottom line: Ask first -- and ask every time.

• If sexual activity occurs without consent, it is considered rape or sexual assault, a criminal offense. Consent is part of healthy sexual communication and all people involved must agree to sexual activity every time for it to be consensual.
• At first, it might feel awkward to ask someone if they want to make out, hook-up, or have sex.  There's no need to feel embarrassed -- this is why creating consent culture is so important!  The more we work together to make consent part of a healthy sexual experience, the easier it feels.
• Consent culture is about valuing the other person enough to let them make their own decisions.  Their choice is simply what is best for them at that time and not necessarily a reflection of you!  Consent is something we do together.

Information and wording borrowed from Columbia College Student Services and UBC

This video from Ryerson University provides a great explanation of sexual consent and discusses sexual violence.

What is sexual assault?

• Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact or activity. 

Columbia College is committed to making sure that all students can study in a safe and respectful environment, free from sexual assault of any kind. Columbia College offers counselling support for individuals impacted by sexual assault, regardless of when or where the assault occurred. Columbia College counsellors or specially trained Sexual Assault Response Advisors can assist students who would like to report a sexual assault and/or have their assault investigated. All students can choose get help and support without making a report or starting an investigation process.