Under the University’s Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence, consent is informed :

Consent is an affirmative, unambiguous, and conscious decision by each participant to engage in mutually agreed-upon sexual activity.

Consent is voluntary. It must be given without coercion, force, threats, or intimidation.

Consent is revocable. Consent to sexual activity on one occasion is not consent to engage in sexual activity on another occasion. Consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual encounter and can be revoked at any time. Once consent is withdrawn, the sexual activity must stop immediately.

Consent CANNOT be given when a person is incapacitated. A person cannot consent if they are unconscious or coming in and out of consciousness. A person cannot consent if their understanding of the act is affected by a physical or mental impairment. A person cannot consent if they are under the threat of violence, bodily injury or other forms of coercion.

Consent is a verbal “YES” to the sexual activity by all participating persons. According to California law, an affirmative, unambiguous, and conscious decision by all participants to engage in a sexual activity must be made in order for the sexual activity to be considered legally consensual (Refer to Senate Bill 967).

Consent is NOT the absence of a “no” or silence. Remember, “YES” to one form of sexual activity is not consent to all forms. Before continuing to any following sexual activity, all participants must consent by saying “YES.”