Consent boils down to communication and respect. How do we talk about it and why is it so important?
The Facts
- 37% of female rape victims were first raped between ages 18-24
- Females ages 16-19 are 4x more likely than the general population to be the victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault
- 7/10 rapes are committed by someone known to the victim
What does this mean?
We discuss the assault statistics, "rape culture," and the requirement for clear, enthusiastic, informed consent. From an academic perspective, consent is understood. Young people know it is important, yet they are still uncomfortable being so explicit. "It's awkward to ask someone if they want to have sex; you just have to read the situation, and go with the flow." Of course, being drunk and/or just horny, can make it really difficult to just "read the situation." This is where excuses about one person "not saying no" and assumptions behind going back to someone's room after a date or party come to rise. Of course, consent isn't a unique issue to young adults. We all need better information on navigating healthy, respectful relationships, and what it really means to say yes.
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