Understanding Consent
What is consent?
- Freely Given
- When "no" feels just as viable of an option as "yes." Coercion, resistance or threats are NOT used.
- Reversible
- Consent for ANY sexual act can be taken back at ANY point before or during the act. You can always change your mind.
- Informed
- The consenting person is fully informed and clear on what they are consenting to (including what the acts will be and if protection will be used).
- Enthusiastic
- The consenting person is only agreeing to sexual acts that they WANT to do -- not to things they feel expected to do.
- Specific
- Just because consent was given to one sexual act does not mean consent is also given to all proceeding acts (even if it's during the same night or with the same partner).
Bystander Internvention
Whether you're on or off campus, it is always your responsibility to be an active bystander. If you see something that shouldn't be happening, say or do something about it.
The 3 D's of Bystander Intervention
Direct - Directly interacting with the people involved
Delegate - Asking others to intervene on your behalf
Distract - Creating a diversion to diffuse the situation
- Be aware of safety; never put yourself in harm's way.
- Intervene early, if you can, before the problem becomes a crisis.
- Remain calm while gathering information and providing the support you can.
Request a training
Interested in booking a training? Contact Emily Carlson (ecarlson3@linfield.edu) if you would like to schedule a training on any of the following topics:
- Consent
- Active Bystander Intervention
- SHWCC Resources
- Title IX
Have another topic of interest? Reach out to see if we can develop a training that would meet your needs.