Your choices, needs and boundaries matter. So do everyone’s.

Consent is not a tick-box or permission slip. Nor does it just apply to sex.

Consent is an ongoing conversation, in every aspect of life. It takes staying connected to yourself, while being open to others.

Our social and systemic conditions shape how we experience consent and autonomy, often planting habits that are harmful and unconscious. Finding access to authentic consent can be difficult for everyone, but especially when we carry trauma, are marginalised, or have the experience of being the victim or perpetrator of consent violations. We often need highly boundaried, safe containers to learn new ways of relating to consent, and lots of chances to practise, be clunky, and feel our feels safely.

But we can learn how to notice, trust and honour our needs, preferences and boundaries. By learning how to slow down, ask simple questions, express ourselves and negotiate, consent becomes a principle - and then a habit - in our relationships. It gets easier and more fun the more we practise!

Developing a culture of consent is within our power.