How to Teach and Learn Consent

There was ‘no means no’. Then ‘yes means yes’. Now, we have notions of ‘enthusiastic consent’ and ‘continued consent’. Sexual consent might seem like a simple thing to understand, but the continued prevalence of harassment and sexual assault tells us it’s anything but.

Is our culture sending mixed messages? Can the tricky terrain of consent ever be reduced to a simple slogan or a straightforward set of principles that are universally understood and applicable? How can we get better at teaching, and practising, reciprocal respect in all sexual encounters?

In this discussion, we’ll explore these questions and more. We’ll look at sex education in schools and discuss how we can teach young people not just about biology, but also about desire and respect. We’ll look, too, at how power differences can affect the context in which consent is given, denied or withdrawn. Finally, we’ll talk through the principle of enthusiastic consent and discuss ways we can convey these ideas to young people.

Presented in partnership with Archer Magazine.