1. Consent and the law

2. The legal definition
Legally, the definition of consent, according section 74 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, is when someone "agrees by choice…and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice."
Things to consider around giving or receiving consent include:
Whether you or the other person are too young
If drugs or alcohol have been consumed
Poor health
Additional learning needs
Fear and manipulation
Someone cannot consent if:
They don’t legally have the capacity to consent
They are asleep or unconscious
They don’t have the freedom to consent

3. The age of consent
The legal age of consent is 16 and it’s an offence to have sexual activity with someone under that age (or 18 if the other person is in a position of trust or authority).
However, the law isn’t intended to criminalise mutually agreed sexual activity between two young people of similar age and understanding, unless it involves abuse, exploitation or harm.
Young people have the right to access confidential advice and help about sex and sexual health, including on contraception, condoms and pregnancy, even if they're under 16.

4. Consent: Yes, yes, yes!
We should recognise consent as nothing less than an enthusiastic “yes.” Does the other person want to be there? Have they told you they want to do this? Are they happily touching and kissing you too? If you’re not sure how the other person feels, stop and check in with them.

5. Consent is not…
When someone feels scared, bullied or harassed into having sex.
When they’re incapacitated by drugs or alcohol.
Asking someone 50 times for consent, and ignoring no 49 times until you get a yes.

6. There should never be a “grey area” in consent.
Always ensure you have a partner’s full, happy, and enthusiastic consent before engaging in any kind of sexual activity, every time.
Just because someone has said “yes” before, it doesn’t mean they say “yes” to every time or every act.

7. Where to get help
If you’ve been raped or assaulted and you need urgent medical care, call 999 (or 112 from a mobile) and ask for an ambulance, or go straight to your nearest A&E.
You can also call 999 (or 112 from a mobile) if you wish to speak to the police.
A doctor or nurse can help you get emotional support. They may have to talk about what happened with other people but they'll talk to you about this first.

8. Where to get help Rape Crisis England and Wales Rape Crisis Scotland
Support for people in England and Wales who have experienced rape, child sexual abuse or any kind of sexual violence
Phone: (Every day from 12pm pm and 7pm pm)
Rape Crisis Scotland
Phone: (Every day from 6pm – 12am)
24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline (Northern Ireland)
Support, advice and signposting service run by Women’s Aid for people of all genders in Northern Ireland who have been affected by domestic or sexual violence
Phone:
Childline
Help and emotional support for people aged 18 or under
Phone:
Switchboard – the LGBT+ helpline
Support and advice for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or other identities (LGBTI+)
Phone: