Sexual Misconduct and Consent
Understanding consent and recognizing sexual misconduct are essential to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus environment. Sexual misconduct, including sexual assault and rape, is considered a form of sexual harassment and may involve issues related to consent, sexual violence, and other prohibited conduct.
Did you know?
Students who report incidents of sexual misconduct are not subject to disciplinary action for alcohol or drug possession or consumption violations that are directly connected to the reported incident.
What is Consent?
Consent is a clear and mutual agreement, expressed through words or actions, to participate in a specific sexual activity. All individuals involved must provide consent voluntarily and have the capacity to do so.
- Consent Must Be Voluntary. Consent cannot be obtained through force, threats, intimidation, coercion, extortion, or undue influence. A person's agreement to engage in sexual activity must be freely given.
- Consent Requires Capacity. Individuals must be capable of making informed decisions in order to consent. A person who is incapacitated due to alcohol, drugs, or another condition may not have the capacity to provide valid consent.
- Age Matters. Individuals who are below the statutory age of consent cannot legally provide consent.
- Consent Can Be Withdrawn. Consent is an ongoing process. It may be withdrawn at any time through words or actions. Previous consent, whether in a current or past relationship, does not imply consent to future sexual activity. Once consent is withdrawn, sexual activity must stop.
Activities That Require Consent
- Sexual intercourse
- Oral sex
- Kissing
- Sexual touching or fondling
- Decisions regarding the use of protection
- Recording sexual activity
- Taking intimate or explicit photographs
- Sharing intimate photographs, videos, or audio recordings
Not sure what consent really means?
This video breaks it down with an easy-to-understand tea comparison.
Sexual Exploitation
Consent extends beyond physical sexual activity. Creating, sending, receiving, or sharing sexually explicit images, videos, recordings, or social media content involving another person requires that person's consent. It is important to consider whether everyone involved has agreed before recording or distributing such material.
Examples of Sexual Exploitation
- Exposing your own or another person's intimate body parts without consent
- Recording or photographing sexual activity without permission
- Sharing sexual images, videos, or recordings without consent
- Voyeurism or observing someone in a private setting without their knowledge or permission