Consent is Ongoing Like a FERRIS Wheel

FREELY GIVEN

Free from any kind of force, pressure or manipulation.

All involved are free to choose without anything being used to influence them. This means consent has to happen between fully sober folks. Being impaired or feeling pressure to do something limits someone’s options and increases the chances of harm occurring.

ENGAGED

Everyone involved should be 100% interested in and engaged with what is happening.

If you’re not sure if they’re fully into things, STOP what you are doing and check in with them.

REPEATED

Consent is ongoing and must be present during any interaction with someone.

This includes folks who may already have a relationship built. You need consent each and every time, regardless of the relationship you have to that person or if it’s something both have consented to before.

REVERSIBLE

Those involved have every right to change their mind.

An initial “yes” can become a “no” at any point in the process, even if it’s just before or during. As soon as you have any doubt they’re still having a good time, STOP and check in.

INFORMED

Everyone involved must know exactly what they are consenting to each and every time.

The easiest way to make sure that all parties involved are fully informed about what the plans are and how everyone feels about them is to talk about things beforehand.

SPECIFIC

Consent is specific to what is happening now between folks.

It does not cover future interactions even with the same person. Everyone involved needs to know the details of what it is they are agreeing to – the more specific we are about the interaction, the better.