What is Consent?
Consent is the voluntary agreement to participate in a sexual activity. You can change your mind at any time and withdraw your consent if you are uncomfortable. All people involved must feel that they are able to say “no” or stop the sexual activity at any point. Silence does not equal consent.
Consent cannot be given if an individual is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or if they are unconscious. A person in a position of power, trust or authority cannot obtain consent. If a person uses coercion or threats, it is not consent.
What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence is a broad term that includes sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct. The word ‘violence’ is not limited to physical violence and also includes emotional and psychological harm.
What is sexual Assault?
Sexual assault refers to any sexual contact that occurs without consent, such as unwanted sexual touching, kissing, penetration. Sexual Assault is a crime in Canada.
What is sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Some forms of sexual harassment are illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada.
This can include sexualized language/jokes, pressuring for sexual activity, and unsolicited sexually explicit text/email/images.
Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of settings including the workplace, learning environment, home, or community.
What is sexual Misconduct?
Sexual misconduct is a non-legal term used informally to describe a broad range of behaviours, which may or may not involve harassment.
This can include inappropriate work relationships (e.g. between a boss and employee).
Sexual misconduct can contribute to a toxic or unsafe workplace or learning environment.
