By Emma Atkinson and Rachel Drake

Welcome back to Consent Corner!  Consent maven Rachel Drake is our guide in learning more about this complex yet critical topic.

How did our discussion of capacity and consent sit with you?  Were you able to relate your own experiences to anything we mentioned?

We talked a lot about factors that could possibly interfere with your ability to make good consent decisions.  We’re all unique, and what throws me off balance in an interaction - like being really tired - might have a minimal impact on you, and vice versa.  

Being human means we’ll make mistakes.  And, it also means that we can learn and try to do things better in the future.  As much as we try, we can’t foresee every possible feeling or event that presents itself in our encounters.  What seemed super- exciting initially might turn into something that we’d like to end right now, thank you very much.

Remember that our goal in Consent Corner is for everyone involved to have the most fun possible!  And, you get to decide what fun means for you.

Homework:  notice how your ability to give consent changes over time.  Pay particular attention if you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.  These and similar feelings can guide you to a clearer understanding of what might be your own personal triggers, i.e., feelings that throw you off balance.

Got questions or criticisms?  Want to send us fan mail?  You can reach us at info@thecspc.org.