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Let’s play a game to practice consent

Pretend you are asking someone to make out. Click the wheel to see what their answer is.

 

Click below to find out what your answer means

Hot Diggity
That’s an enthusiastic yes.
I guess so?
That’s a no, because it sounds like there is hesitation. Even if in the dictionary the words mean yes, we have to listen to how they are said too.Consent always needs an enthusiastic yes.
I'd like to stop
It’s a no. People have the right to change their mind at any point and that always has to be respected.  If at any point your partner’s body language changes do a check-in. They may want to stop and that is okay.
I'm not sure
That’s a no because it isn’t an enthusiastic yes. If someone isn’t sure we don’t get to pressure them to say yes. Always respect and honour their answer.
Maybe
It’s a no, because that’s not an enthusiastic yes. Could someone say this with different tones and change the meaning? It’s possible, but even if they say maybe in a playful voice, we’d want to check-in to make sure we are understanding them correctly. If it’s not a clear yes, it counts as a no. 
Maybe later
It’s a no, because that’s not an enthusiastic yes. Maybe they do mean later (you’d have to ask again later), but maybe they mean no and don’t feel comfortable saying it assertively. Either way it’s definitely not a yes. 
Mmmm
That’s a no, because it sounds like there is hesitation. Consent always needs an enthusiastic yes.
No
That’s a clear no and we always need to respect it.
Not right now
It’s a no, because that’s not an enthusiastic yes. Maybe they do mean later (you’d have to ask again later), but maybe they mean no and don’t feel comfortable saying it assertively. Either way it’s definitely not a yes.
Sure?
That’s a no, because it sounds like there is hesitation. Even if in the dictionary the word means yes, we have to listen to how they are said too. Consent always needs an enthusiastic yes.
Sure!
That’s an enthusiastic yes.
Totally
That’s an enthusiastic yes.
Uh-huh
Depends on how it is said! Uh-huh is often a way of saying no (usually sounds quicker sorta like uh-uh) but sometimes it can be said in a way that means yes (usually the words sound more drawn out sorta like ahh-ha). When in doubt, check-in to make sure you understand them correctly. If you don’t know the answer, then the answer counts as a no. 
Ummm
That’s a no, because it sounds like there is hesitation. Consent always needs an enthusiastic yes.
Yes please!
That’s an enthusiastic yes.

Remember, when it comes to sexual activities and sex, you have the right to decide when you do it, where you do it, and how you do it. For any sexual activity to happen, everyone needs to consent, willingly and freely. Another way of thinking about it is only yes means yes. Sexual activity does not just mean sex, it includes kissing, hugging, making out, cuddling, and touching someone’s body in a sexual way. If consent doesn’t happen, that’s a sexual assault. A sexual assault is when there is unwanted sexual contact or sexual attention, including coercion (pressure) and harassment.

It is never your fault if you have been sexually assaulted. It can be important to talk to someone about what has happened. This could be someone in your life like a family member, a school counsellor, or you could call a phone line like the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line. It’s a great resource that people can call if they need to talk. It is open 24/7 and free to call from anywhere in Manitoba. Their phone number is 1-888-292-7565 or (204) 786-8631.

 

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