{"id":71,"date":"2023-03-22T16:07:56","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T16:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/health-promotion-and-wellbeing\/?page_id=71"},"modified":"2026-03-13T18:33:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T18:33:49","slug":"consent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/consent\/","title":{"rendered":"Consent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">Simply<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">put, consent is uncoerced permission to interact with the body or the life\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of another\u00a0<span class=\"TextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">person.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">It is up to all of us to ASK our part<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">ners about what they like and their boundaries,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">to LISTEN to what our partner<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">\u00a0share about what they are comfortable with and how they would like to experience pleasure and joy, and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">\u00a0to RESPECT the<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">\u00a0boundaries our partners share around their bodies<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">lives,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">an<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">d<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">\u00a0their<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW69704183 BCX0\">expectations around pleasure and joy.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW69704183 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Consent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consent is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Informed.<\/strong> All people involved in the sexual or intimate act know what is going on. For example, everyone involved has had conversations around STI health, and expectations\u00a0for the act have been discussed and made clear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Active.<\/strong> Consent\u00a0exists\u00a0for all changes or progressions in the event\u00a0or act. For example, if consent has been given for oral sex, consent should be given again for oral sex to move\u00a0to penetrative\u00a0sex.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Can be revoked at any time,<\/strong> before or during an intimate\u00a0event or\u00a0act. For example, if someone changes their mind in the middle of sex and wants to stop, consent has been taken away.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agreed upon and wanted.<\/strong> Partners have given uncoerced permission for the event or act.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ethical.<\/strong> Partners have made sure everyone is comfortable with the intimate event or act. For example, partners have made space for each other to change their minds and to have conversations about concerns and vulnerabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focused on mutual pleasure and joy.<\/strong> Equal focus is placed on all partners\u2018&nbsp;physical and emotional&nbsp;enjoyment and happiness. For example, it includes taking time to find out how our partners like to be touched, or&nbsp;if our&nbsp;partners&nbsp;would like any sort of care after intimacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Without coercion.<\/strong> Consent cannot exist where there is no permission or if the permission is coerced. Coercion can look like:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Force<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The threat of force<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leveraging power or positions of power<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Targeting a person who is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pushing a person to become incapacitated by drugs or alcohol<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blackmail<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pushing someone over and over until they give in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The University\u2019s definition of consent can be found in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sexualmisconduct.jhu.edu\/policies-laws\/#Section%203\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practicing Consent<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-117 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/health-promotion-and-wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/07\/Screenshot-2023-07-16-at-3.16.09-PM-300x115.png\" alt=\"White text on a textured background next to an image of an ear. I listen. \" width=\"253\" height=\"97\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/07\/Screenshot-2023-07-16-at-3.16.09-PM-300x115.png 300w, https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/07\/Screenshot-2023-07-16-at-3.16.09-PM.png 382w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 253px) 100vw, 253px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\">It is up to all of us to LISTEN to our partners to make sure<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\">\u00a0we understand what they like, what they are comfortable with, what their boundaries are,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\">\u00a0and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\">\u00a0what they have given permissions for<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\">\u00a0Listen<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\">\u00a0to partners to make sure they are comfortable and enjoying our sex and intimacy. If they are expressing uncertainty<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212219282 BCX0\"> or discomfort, it\u2019s time to stop and check in.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Phrases to listen for with your partner(s):<\/h4>\n<table id=\"tablepress-5\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-5 tablepress-responsive\" style=\"height: 354px\" width=\"1083\">\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Yeah, I like that.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">Harder.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Keep going.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">Please don&#8217;t stop.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Yeah, touch me there.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">I love that.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">That feels so good!<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">I&#8217;m okay with touching here, but that is all I want to do.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Only if we can use a condom.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">I don&#8217;t feel like it tonight.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Ouch.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">I&#8217;m not sure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">I don&#8217;t like that.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">I want to do oral, but nothing else.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-118 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/health-promotion-and-wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/07\/Screenshot-2023-07-16-at-3.17.57-PM-300x112.png\" alt=\"White text on textured blue background next to an image of a heart. I respect. \" width=\"254\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/07\/Screenshot-2023-07-16-at-3.17.57-PM-300x112.png 300w, https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/07\/Screenshot-2023-07-16-at-3.17.57-PM.png 376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 254px) 100vw, 254px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">It is up to all of us to\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">RESPECT<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">\u00a0our partner\u2019s boundaries<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">to\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">make space for them to comfortably tell us\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 GrammarErrorHighlight SCXW267293426 BCX0\">\u201cno<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">\u201d and to change their minds,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">and to\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">equally prioritize their pleasure and joy with our own.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW267293426 BCX0\">R<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW267293426 BCX0\">espect partners\u2019<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267293426 BCX0\"> pleasure and their boundaries during sex and intimacy. If at any time they seem uncomfortable or no longer excited about what is going on, stop and check in with them.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Ways to express respect with your partner(s):<\/h4>\n<div class=\"table-overthrow overthrow\">\n<div class=\"table-wrap\">\n<table id=\"tablepress-6\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-6 tablepress-responsive\">\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Tell me if you get uncomfortable at any time and we&#8217;ll stop.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">Let me know if you want to change positions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Let me know if you want to stop.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">What are you comfortable with doing?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Can we set up a safe word?<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">Let&#8217;s pause and talk about what we both want to do.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Can we try something else? If you don\u2019t want to, that is fine.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">I\u2019ll get a condom.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">I want to make sure you are feeling good about this.<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">Are you ok?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpcmsdev-toggle\">\n<h2>Relationships<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW231210748 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW231210748 BCX0\">There are a variety of ways folks can have romantic, sexual, or other intimate relationships.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW231210748 BCX0\">Intimate relationships are relationships where the folks involved are somehow vulnerable\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW231210748 BCX0\">with<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW231210748 BCX0\">\u00a0one another. Folks can be vulnerable in many ways including physically, emotionally, and mentally. In healthy relationships, all partners take time to make sure each other is emotionally and physically safe, their boundaries are respected, and consent is prioritized.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW231210748 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Programming Requests, Materials, &amp; Resources<\/h2>\n<p>Below are some of the I Ask, I Listen, I Respect campaign materials. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/livejohnshopkins-my.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/g\/personal\/acampb39_jh_edu\/Eeg25x9VTSdKiXwqB4xXtwIBIOqkKtolCwFxlB5yj8Fx7g\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this toolkit<\/a>\u00a0for more materials and to help Health Promotion and Well-Being spread the news of the Consent campaign on social media.\u00a0<span class=\"TextRun SCXW139706644 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW139706644 BCX0\">For more information<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW139706644 BCX0\">, to request materials,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW139706644 BCX0\">and to request programming around consent, please\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW139706644 BCX0\">fill out <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/r\/ssg3XG2Pu2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this form<\/a> <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW139706644 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW139706644 BCX0\">or email <a href=\"mailto:HopkinsGBVP@jhu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HopkinsGBVP@jhu.edu<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studentaffairs.jhu.edu\/chew\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/JHU-Consent-Campaign_ASK-1-1.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1529\" src=\"https:\/\/studentaffairs.jhu.edu\/chew\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/JHU-Consent-Campaign_ASK-1-1.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"258\" height=\"258\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/studentaffairs.jhu.edu\/chew\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/JHU-Consent-Campaign_LISTEN-4-1.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1532\" src=\"https:\/\/studentaffairs.jhu.edu\/chew\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/JHU-Consent-Campaign_LISTEN-4-1.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"258\" height=\"258\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/studentaffairs.jhu.edu\/chew\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/JHU-Consent-Campaign_RESPECT-2.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1533\" src=\"https:\/\/studentaffairs.jhu.edu\/chew\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/09\/JHU-Consent-Campaign_RESPECT-2.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"259\" height=\"259\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Simply\u00a0put, consent is uncoerced permission to interact with the body or the life\u00a0of another\u00a0person.\u00a0It is up to all of us&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-71","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/71","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/71\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":819,"href":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/71\/revisions\/819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellbeing.jhu.edu\/HealthPromotion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}