Here, you can take a quick quiz to see what you’ve learned about consent.
Look at the examples below. In each one, are both people giving enthusiastic consent?
Gemma and Tai are both at a party. Gemma has had a lot to drink – her speech is slurred and she’s stumbling. They go the bedroom and have sex.
Incorrect! Gemma is drunk and can’t give consent to sexual activity. She’s stumbling and her words are slurred – these are signs that she doesn’t know what’s happening. This is true no matter how old they are. A person might feel more confident when they’re drunk or on drugs. They might even do and say things that make it seem like they want sexual activity. But when people have been drinking alcohol they aren’t in true control of themselves, which is why they can’t give consent. Choose another day to have sexual contact, when both people are able to give enthusiastic consent. This applies to any kind of sexual activity.
Correct! Gemma is drunk and can’t give consent to sexual activity. She’s stumbling and her words are slurred – these are signs that she doesn’t know what’s happening. This is true no matter how old they are. A person might feel more confident when they’re drunk or on drugs. They might even do and say things that make it seem like they want sexual activity. But when people have been drinking alcohol they aren’t in true control of themselves, which is why they can’t give consent. Choose another day to have sexual contact, when both people are able to give enthusiastic consent. This applies to any kind of sexual activity.
Jessica is 17 years old and Ami is 16 years old. The two of them have been in a relationship for 6 months. One night, Ami is asleep but Jessica wants to have sex with them. She starts to touch Ami’s body and begin oral sex, even though Ami is asleep.
Incorrect! Ami is unable to consent to the act as they’re asleep and they don’t know what’s happening. This would also be true if both people involved were over 18.
Correct! Ami is unable to consent to the act as they’re asleep and they don’t know what’s happening. This would also be true if both people involved were over 18.
Alice and Ciarán met through a friend and started chatting and flirting over Snapchat. Ciarán asks Alice to send him a nude. Alice says that she’s enjoying chatting with him, but she doesn’t want to send him nudes because she’s worried about what might happen if she does. Ciarán says he understands and respects her decision.
Incorrect! Alice has been upfront with her feelings, and Ciarán has listened to her and respected them.
Correct! Alice has been upfront with her feelings, and Ciarán has listened to her and respected them.
Abigail is 17 and is having sex with her boyfriend, Noah, who is 19. During sex, Abigail pulls away and wants to stop. Noah tries to encourage her to carry on, telling her that he is about to “come” (meaning he is about to have an orgasm).
Incorrect! Both people were giving their consent to have sexual activity. But Abigail removed her consent. This means sex should stop straight away. Consent can be removed at any point during sexual contact. Abigail can’t truly consent if she’s pressured by Noah to carry on.
Correct! Both people were giving their consent to have sexual activity. But Abigail removed her consent. This means sex should stop straight away. Consent can be removed at any point during sexual contact. Abigail can’t truly consent if she’s pressured by Noah to carry on.
Eddie, aged 16, and Adam, aged 17, are hanging out at Eddie’s parents’ house. They decide that they both feel ready to have sex with each other, and they want to.
Correct! They’re both over 16 and are happy and comfortable about having sexual contact with each other at this moment. Sexual consent can change, but at this moment they’re both consenting.
Incorrect! They’re both over 16 and are happy and comfortable about having sexual contact with each other at this moment. Sexual consent can change, but at this moment they’re both consenting.
Alex, aged 19, and Indie, aged 17, have been messaging each other for a couple of days. Alex is feeling aroused and he decides to send Indie a picture of his penis without any conversation about it beforehand.
Incorrect! Alex sends a sexual image to Indie without first getting her consent that she’s happy to receive this image. It’s just as important to get sexual consent when you’re online as it is when you’re offline. It’s not okay to go up to someone and show them your private parts without consent, so why would it be okay to send an image of them to someone without their consent?
Correct! Alex sends a sexual image to Indie without first getting her consent that she’s happy to receive this image. It’s just as important to get sexual consent when you’re online as it is when you’re offline. It’s not okay to go up to someone and show them your private parts without consent, so why would it be okay to send an image of them to someone without their consent?
Henry and Alicia, both 17, have been dating for couple of months. They have had oral and vaginal sex. Henry said to Alicia that he would like to try having anal sex with her. Alicia wasn’t sure at first, but after doing some research and speaking to Henry more about it, she decided she would like to try this as well.
Correct! Henry and Alicia have taken time to talk about trying a new sexual activity. They’ve both had time to think about it and they feel comfortable about going ahead. It’s important that they both know they can change their mind at any point and time. If one of them doesn’t like it, they should stop.
Incorrect! Henry and Alicia have taken time to talk about trying a new sexual activity. They’ve both had time to think about it and they feel comfortable about going ahead. It’s important that they both know they can change their mind at any point and time. If one of them doesn’t like it, they should stop.
