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April is the sexual assault awareness month, and we're failing miserably at talking about sex. I am a victim, so are my sisters, and too many girls I know. So, here's a crash course on consent because y'all need to stop touching people without their consent. A thread:
This topic makes me uncomfortable, it's triggering, but I wish I stopped blaming myself sooner. Sex education is a life skill and when we refuse to talk about it, we're failing to provide necessary information about STIs, who we can trust, recognize predator behaviors, etc.
So what is consent? Consent is more than a permission, more than agreeing, more than the absence of "no." It cannot be obtained by coercion, and you should always always always respect and accept if your partner says no. Consent should never be assumed.
Instead of "no," non-consent can also sound like I don't know, may be, I'm not sure, I'm not ready, SILENCE, that hurts, no more, this feels wrong, I'm scared, STOP, not right now, SILENCE.
(reminder: minors cannot give consent!)
(reminder: minors cannot give consent!)
Non-verbally, non-consent can also be avoiding eye contact, pushing you away, avoiding touch, shaking head no, discomfort, or simply just lying there.
Again, the absence of "no" does not mean "yes."
Again, the absence of "no" does not mean "yes."
Consent should also happen every.single.time. Giving consent for one sexual activity, one time, does not guarantee consent for recurring sexual contact. Eg, agreeing to kiss someone does not give permission to remove your clothes, or sex in the past is not consent for sex again.
The topic of sex is such a big taboo in our culture, and clearly, this is reflected in the staggering numbers of sexual assault and child abuse in the Maldives.
If you still don't understand, here's a link:
Of course, consent is more than just tea!
If you still don't understand, here's a link:
Of course, consent is more than just tea!
