Respecting boundaries and choices
Consent 101
Consent means freely agreeing to something and respecting another person's boundaries. It's the foundation of all healthy interactions.
Teaching Kids About Consent
Open conversation in our homes, in our learning spaces, and in our communities about sex, healthy relationships and sexualized assault is how we start to turn the tide.
When young people feel safe and comfortable asking questions about sex and relationships it becomes easier for them to find safe and accurate information instead of experimenting in the dark.
The danger of silence:
Silence can feed the "rumour-mill" which can lead to slut shaming victims, and exaggerated or false accusations. This won't lead to justice for victims and it doesn't create movements for change.
When youth know the right places to get support, and report if something happened, they can avoid the rumour mill and find a path towards justice that feels right to them.
Get in the Know
Whether you are daydreaming about hooking up or already doing the do - there's lots to learn to make sure everyone is feeling safe and having a great time! Sex is supposed to feel good, for everyone involved. So read up on consent, safe sex, and healthy relationships. Here's some resources to get you started.
Have you experienced an assault and don't know what to do? Check out the Get Support page.
Amaze.org
Puberty resources for teens
Scarleteen
Sex ed for the real world
Netflix: Sex Education
Educational entertainment series
Netflix: The Principles of Pleasure
Documentary series
Young Men and Consent
Resources specifically for young men
Healthy Relationships
Learn more about building healthy connections
Resources for Parents
My Life My Body Course
Learn more about human sexuality and talking to your kids of all ages and abilities with this Free course created by Inclusion Yukon. This course was created for neurodivergent individuals but applies to all!
Learn MoreBooks and blogs are a great way to learn together and open up conversation:
Scarleteen & the book S.E.X
Comprehensive sex education resource
Saleema Noon Sexual Health Educators
Professional health education
Talk Sex Today
A guide for parents
Amaze.org
Puberty resources for teens
Boys and Sex & Girls and Sex
Books by Peggy Orenstein
Young Men and Consent
Resources for discussing consent with young men
Asking for Consent
We learn by watching the behaviours of others.
Children especially learn by imitation; by watching and listening to the behaviours of others. This is sometimes called "observational learning."
Because they observe and learn from what you do, modelling consent is one of the most effective ways to teach it.
How can you model consent in daily interactions?
Example: Bath time - Ask for permission to help wash your child's body. Keep it upbeat and always honour the child's request to not be touched.
"Can I wash your back now? How about your feet? How about your bottom?"
If the child says "no": Hand them the washcloth and say, "Cool! Your booty needs a wash. Go for it."
Ways to ask for consent:
"Is this okay?"
"Do you want to...?"
"Are you comfortable with this?"
"Would you like me to...?"
"How are you feeling?"
"Tell me if you want to stop."
The Facts About Consent
1 in 10
teens were kissed, touched, or forced to have sexual contact against their will by someone they were dating.
43%
of all dating violence incidents occur to victims 15-24 years old.
Higher risk
2SLGBTQIA+ youth have a greater chance of encountering dating violence than those who are cisgender and heterosexual.
Consent, boundaries, and respect for those boundaries are important for healthy relationships that uplift you rather than bring you down.
By teaching young people - at all ages and development stages - about consent, boundaries, empathy, and respect, they can get the skills they need to have healthy relationships, recognize and leave unhealthy relationships, and increase their self-confidence.
Let's empower young people with the right to say No, to listen to their own bodies, and to respect others when they say No.
The FRIES Model of Consent
An easy way to remember what consent looks like. True consent must be:
Freely Given
Consent must be given without pressure, manipulation, or influence of substances.
Reversible
Anyone can change their mind at any time. Consent can be withdrawn.
Informed
Everyone involved understands what they're agreeing to.
Enthusiastic
Consent should be an enthusiastic 'yes,' not just the absence of 'no.'
Specific
Saying yes to one thing doesn't mean yes to everything.
Myths vs. Facts
Myth
If someone doesn't say 'no,' it means 'yes.'
Fact
Silence is not consent. Consent must be clearly and actively given.
Myth
If you're in a relationship, you don't need consent.
Fact
Consent is needed every time, regardless of relationship status.
Myth
If someone agreed before, they'll agree again.
Fact
Past consent doesn't equal future consent. Ask every time.
Myth
What someone wears signals consent.
Fact
Clothing choices never indicate consent. Only words or actions do.
Continue Learning
Understanding consent is just the beginning. Explore how to build healthy relationships and be a supportive ally.