In law, someone consents to sex or a sexual act when they agree by choice and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Anyone you’re with sexually – or who wants to be sexual with you – has the responsibility to be sure you’ve given your consent to anything and everything that happens between you, every time. Consent can’t be assumed and it’s yours to give, refuse or take back at any time. Your body can react in different ways to different situations, but that’s separate from whether or not you consented to what happened. If you didn’t agree by choice and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice, then what happened to you was rape or sexual assault, no matter the circumstances. It was not your fault and you deserve support.
