Sexual Violence And Verbal Consent

When it pertains to consent, only “yes” means “yes”; the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2015) defines consent as “the presence of a clear, affirmative, expression of interest, desire, and wants with the exchange of consent involves all parties…each person sets their boundaries or shares their desires…consent is respectful and involves mutual decision-making”. Therefore, any sexual act that is not given a verbal “yes” is considered both consensual and an act of sexual violence (National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2015).
Verbal consent cannot be given due to several reasons such as helplessness due to alcohol and or drugs, having debilitating disabilities or illnesses, not being of age and the overall whelming fear of the situation