Navigating Consent: The Clear 'Yes' in All Situations

Consent is a clear, enthusiastic, and ongoing agreement between people before and during any activity together. It's not just about physical intimacy; it applies to everything from borrowing a friend's phone to sharing a photo online.We use the acronym FRIES to remember the key elements:Freely Given: Consent is a choice you make without pressure, manipulation, or influence from drugs or alcohol.Reversible: Anyone can change their mind about what they want to do, at any time. Even if you've said yes before, you're allowed to say no later.Informed: You have to be honest. For example, if you say you'll use protection during sex, you have to actually do it. You can only consent to what you know is happening.Enthusiastic: Consent should be about wanting to do something, not feeling like you hav...

Imagine you want to look up something online, but your phone's battery is dead. Your friend Alex has their phone out.Ask Specifically: Instead of just grabbing the phone, you ask a specific question. 'Hey Alex, my phone died. Can I please use yours for a minute to look up the bus schedule?'Wait for the Answer: You wait for Alex's response. You don't just assume it's okay.Look for Enthusiasm: Alex says, 'Yeah, of course! Here you go.' That's a clear, enthusiastic yes. If Alex had said, 'Umm, I'm waiting for a call...' or just looked uncomfortable, that's not a clear yes.Respect the Boundaries: You use the phone only for what you asked to do—looking up the bus schedule. You don't start scrolling through their photos or reading their messages. That would be breaking the specific consent they...

You took a really fun group photo at a school event and you want to post it on your social media. One of your friends, Sam, looks a little awkward in it.Check In First: Before posting, you send the photo to the group chat. You ask, 'Hey everyone, I love this pic! Is it okay with all of you if I post it?'Respect Individual Answers: Most people say yes, but Sam messages you privately: 'Hey, I'd rather you didn't post that one, I feel weird about how I look.'Honor the 'No': Even though others said yes, Sam said no. You respect Sam's feelings. You respond, 'No problem at all! Thanks for letting me know. We can post a different one we all like.'The Takeaway: Consent is individual. You need a 'yes' from every single person who is directly affected, especially when it comes to their image and pri...