Vice President Joe Biden delivered an impassioned speech on rape culture and violence against women on Tuesday at the White House’s first-ever United State of Women Summit. Vice President Biden made key statements about consent including, “Consent isn’t, ‘Well I didn’t hear ‘no” and “If you cannot consent because you are unconscious, it is rape. Period.” So what is consent? …
- Consent should never be implied or assumed. Consent needs to be clear and something more than not hearing “no.” Never assume you have consent based on body language and non-verbal cues.
- Consent is situation specific. If someone consents to sex a week ago, or any amount of time in the past, it doesn’t mean they will consent to sex with someone today. Consent can always be withdrawn at a later time.
- Consent is behavior specific. Just because someone consents to one set of actions and/or activities it does not mean they are giving consent to any other sexual act.
- Consent is clear. If someone is incapacitated to the extent that they cannot make clear and informed decisions on their own behalf, they cannot consent to sexual activity. For example, someone who has slurred speech, is passing out, falling over etc. Drugs and alcohol blur consent.
- Finally, consent is fun! Consent by definition is a communication about an individual’s desires, needs, and level of comfort in different sexual interactions. When used properly, consent can enhance sexual interactions!
To read more on Vice President Biden’s remarks on consent, follow the link here: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/160614130129-biden-gender-equality-780×439.jpg
Central MN Sexual Assault Center 
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