No Means No
by Jessica Byrd, MSW, LCSW, TCADC
A basic Google search on the word “consent” will offer two definitions: permission for something to happen (n), and to give permission for something to happen (v). When it comes to sex, consent is a verb. Consent is powerful; it is required by law enforcement, medical providers, and researchers. Consent is also required for sexual relationships. The giving and receiving of permission should be the first step in any sexual encounter.
Consent cannot be taken, only given. Yet, every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted (https://www.rainn.org). To raise awareness and increase education, more conversations regarding consent should be taking place in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. And what better time to start these conversations than during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month?
The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and provides the perfect opportunity for conversations focused on consent:
- conversations that make it clear, during sexual encounters there is no “implied consent”
- conversations that explain the absence of “no” does not mean “yes”
- conversations that outline who can and cannot give consent
- conversations that are direct and clear that consent must be given and can be revoked at any time
- conversations that address issues of consent that are encountered in face-to-face interactions and online
- conversations that leave no room for doubt that sex without consent is rape.
As social workers, the month of April provides us with a reminder to start conversations about consent, to teach others how to talk about consent, and to provide safe spaces for these conversations to take place. Consent is a verb, an action word, and we need to be talking about it.
Resource
Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. (n.d.). About sexual assault. https://www.rainn.org/about-sexual-assault
Jessica Byrd
Jessica Byrd
Jessica Byrd, MSW, LCSW, TCADC, is a licensed clinical social worker who works in community mental health during the day and teaches at the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work at night. Jessica is also a DSW student at the University of Kentucky and expects to graduate in May of 2022.