CONSENT

East Kent Rape Crisis Centre

It is as simple as that!!

What steps do you

need to take to ensure

your partner is

consenting?

Do Not Rely on verbal

communication, some

people will not be able to

say no!!

They may FREEZE

They may not

UNDERSTAND

They may be CONFUSED

They may not have the

CAPACITY to consent

Do you have

your beer

goggles on?

Do you have the capacity

to ensure that your partner

is consenting?

If they want to be intimate

with you they will still want

to be intimate when you

are both sober.

REASONABLE

BELIEF IN

CONSENT

◦ Deciding whether a belief is reasonable is to be

determined having regard to all circumstances,

including any steps the defendant took to ascertain

consent.

◦ It is also likely that the defendants attributes, such as

disability, extreme youth will be considered and this

related to the defendants personal capacity to

evaluate consent…

◦ The objective element will be for a jury to decide if his

or her belief was reasonable.

STOPThe implication of initiating

sex with a person who

does not have capacity,

will lead to you

committing a criminal

offence

WAIT !If they like you and they

wish to engage in sexual

activity, they still will want

to when they have

capacity

WHAT IS THE

LAW

If he or she agrees by

choice and has the

freedom and capacity to

make that choice.

Whether a person has the

capacity (i.e. the age and

understanding) to make a

choice whether or not to

take part in sexual activity

at the time in question.

WHAT IS THE

LAW

Whether he or she was in a position to make that choice freely, was not constrained anyway. Assuming that the person has the freedom and capacity and agrees to each sexual activity by choice.

The capacity to consent is particularly relevant when the complainant is intoxicated by alcohol or affected by drugs.

Use your

common

sense

Are they kissing you back?

Do they look happy?

Are they also initiating

touch?

Ask them is this ok ?

Pay attention when they

answer?

Are they communicating

that they are consenting!

Definition of

Rape

Non-consensual penetration with into another’s vagina, anus or mouth.

Females cannot rape due to not having a penis however they can do commit sexual offences.

Any other form of penetration by a body part or an object into an orifice is classes as sexual assault by penetration.

AROUND HALF

OF SEXUAL ABUSE

STARTED BEFORE SECONDARY SCHOOL AGE

IF SEXUAL ABUSE IS TO BE PREVENTED THEN SOCIETY NEEDS TO BE INFORMED AND FULLY EDUCATED WITH REGARDS TO CONSENT AND ABUSE IS ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN SILENCE. SO SPEAK OUT IF YOU ARE AWARE OF ANYONE BEING ABUSED.

YOU ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THE CULTURE BY BEING NON-JUDGEMENTAL

sexual abuse has

overtaken physical

abuse in recent years

being the most

common abuse-

related concern

counselled

There are many myths about rape and other forms of sexual violence which can reinforce feelings of shame and guilt, society can play a huge role in dispelling these myths and reducing the stigma around sexual violence which will in turn create an environment where a survivor feels safe and confident to seek support

Myth- Men don’t get

raped and women don’t commit sexual offences.

FACTThe majority of sexual

assaults and rapes are

committed by men

against women and

children but women can

be perpetrators also.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE

If you have questions contact us!! We are here to help, raise awareness and prevent sexual violence.