Definitions
This term refers to the voluntary, enthusiastic, and mutual agreement between all parties involved in a sexual activity or relationship.
What is consent?
This type of consent is given explicitly and verbally, with clear communication about desires and boundaries.
What is verbal consent?
This term refers to the limits individuals set within a relationship to ensure their physical and emotional safety.
What are personal boundaries?
This communication style involves expressing one's thoughts, feelings, and needs assertively while respecting the boundaries and feelings of others.
What is assertive communication?
This characteristic of a healthy relationship involves both partners feeling respected, valued, and appreciated for who they are.
What is mutual respect?
This behavior, often a warning sign in a relationship, involves one partner pressuring or coercing the other into sexual activity.
What is sexual coercion?
This type of consent is explicitly given by verbal or non-verbal agreement and is characterized by enthusiastic participation.
What is affirmative consent?
This action involves respecting and honoring the boundaries set by one's partner, even if they differ from one's own desires.
What is boundary-setting?
Asking for and respecting this before engaging in sexual activity ensures that all parties are comfortable and consenting.
What is verbal consent?
This behavior involves accepting your partner for who they are, including their strengths and weaknesses.
What is acceptance?
In many jurisdictions, the legal age at which a person can give consent to sexual activity is often referred to as this age.
What is the age of consent?
In this type of consent, individuals may agree to engage in sexual activity but may not do so willingly or enthusiastically due to fear, coercion, or other external pressures.
What is coerced consent?
When someone respects your boundaries, they are demonstrating this crucial aspect of healthy relationships.
What is empathy?
This term refers to the act of checking in with a partner during sexual activity to ensure ongoing consent.
What is active consent?
This principle involves treating your partner with kindness, compassion, and consideration in all interactions.
What is compassion?
This term refers to sexual activity that occurs without the explicit consent of one of the parties involved.
What is sexual assault?
Consent given when an individual is not fully conscious, such as when asleep, intoxicated, or incapacitated, is known by this term.
What is incapacitated consent?
This term refers to the ability to say "no" to requests or demands that go against one's values, needs, or limits, while still maintaining respect for oneself and others.
What is assertiveness?
This communication skill involves paying attention to nonverbal cues and body language to gauge consent.
What is reading body language?
This term refers to finding a mutually agreeable solution to a disagreement or conflict.
What is compromise?
This term refers to the process of gaining the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed choices and assert one's boundaries in relationships.
What is empowerment?
This term refers to the ongoing and mutual agreement between partners to engage in specific sexual activities, with the understanding that consent can be withdrawn at any time.
What is continuous or ongoing consent?
This term describes the situation where someone consistently puts the needs and desires of others ahead of their own, often to the detriment of their own well-being.
What is "codependency"?
This term refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, often considered a cornerstone of effective communication and empathy in relationships.
What is emotional intelligence?
This term refers to the ability to forgive your partner and move past conflicts without holding grudges.
What is forgiveness?