Emilie Vadeboncoeur – Contributor

The “Table de concertation en violences sexuelles de l’Estrie” has recently launched a new initiative aimed at reshaping the way young people understand sexual consent. In partnership with “TransEstrie,” the campaign sets out to expand conversation beyond the traditional “yes means yes, no means no” framing. Instead, it urges the public to confront the grey areas that often get overlooked, particularly among youth and young adults.  

Image courtesy of TransEstrie – Nikk Raun

When asked what misunderstandings about consent are most common among young adults, Nikk Raun (he/they),  spokesperson for “TransEstrie,” described how many believe that consent is simply verbal. However, consent is just as important in body language, silence and hesitation. This is why it is so important to make consent a continuous conversation. What someone may feel comfortable with can change in seconds, and it is important to make sure everyone is still comfortable and having a good time.

Raun explained that the campaign is designed as a global consent campaign, grounded in five key factors that together define what true consent involves. These factors: voluntary and informed, revocable, free of power imbalance, safety and autonomy, give people a more realistic understanding of what healthy consensual interactions actually look like.

Voluntary and informed consent means that both parties are willing, wanting and fully aware of what they are agreeing to. This also means that for a person to be fully aware, they must be sober. When someone is intoxicated or high, their judgment, awareness and comprehension are impaired. Therefore, when impaired, they cannot give fully informed consent.

 Consent must also always be revocable, meaning it acts as an on-going conversation rather than a one-time approval statement. Another important factor is the absence of a power imbalance. Power imbalances can be anything from authority, social pressure, or emotional influence. These cannot be in place in order to make a truly consensual decision. Consent must also be safe, free from coercion, pressure or bribery of any kind. Finally, autonomy, the fundamental right to make decisions about our own bodies, our identities and our boundaries. It serves as a reminder that autonomy includes the right to modify our bodies, the right to define our gender, and the right to refuse invasive or inappropriate questions. 

By confronting uncomfortable questions and promoting open conversations, the campaign invites young people to reflect honestly on their role in fostering safe and respectful relationships. Students seeking any support or information are encouraged to explore monconsentement.ca or reach out to Bishop’s Sexual Violence Support Centre at SVSC@ubishops.ca