Giving consent means that you have communicated “yes”, without the blur of alcohol and/or drugs, and without the pressure of threats, blackmail, or coercion.
Most sexual assaults continue to involve coercion and not necessarily extreme physical force. Examples of coercion include “I’ll tell everyone about you” or “If you do this once, then I’ll” or “If you love me, then…”
You have the right to say “no” or “stop” or “I don’t like this anymore” at any time while you are engaging in sexual activity. If you say words or communicate through body language that you do not want to continue, then you are no longer giving consent for sexual activity. Pushing somebody away, for instance, is an example of no longer giving your consent.
For more information about the law and consent, see the Criminal Code of Canada, section 153(2) and (3).