Blog series: how to start talking about sexual consent

Let’s talk about YES: how to start talking about sexual consent.

This blog series is based on a toolkit that we’ve created, together with activists. It’s for anyone who wants to promote a culture based on mutual consent, respect and positive sexuality – where it is understood that sex without consent is rape. 

Rape is a human rights issue: it affects people regardless of their age, sex, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sex without consent is rape. It’s that straightforward – there are no “grey” areas. 

But despite this straightforward explanation for what constitutes rape, many people still find talking about sexual consent can be awkward, embarrassing, shameful, scary or even confusing.

To demystify the issues around sexual consent, we need to demystify why this is. This blog series is based on a toolkit that we’ve created, together with activists. The toolkit suggests ways in which you can encourage more people – especially young people – to talk about sexual consent in a light-hearted and respectful way. It’s for anyone who wants to promote a culture based on mutual consent, respect and positive sexuality – where it is understood that sex without consent is rape. Does that sound like you? Then read on!

The #Let’sTalkAboutYes campaign  

The #LetsTalkAboutYes campaign started in Denmark, developed by different organizations, survivors and other activists – to demand consent-based legislation and encourage a consent-based culture. On 17 December 2020, after many years of campaigning, success! The Danish parliament finally passed legislation to recognize that sex without consent is rape. 
 
The campaign has since expanded to other countries in Europe and is engaging activists, creatives and young people of all genders and diverse backgrounds to talk about sexual consent. Today, 13 European countries out of 31 analysed by Amnesty International have laws that define rape as sex without consent, so there’s still work to do. But together we can make a difference and spread the word that only “yes” means “yes”. 

Download the toolkit as a PDF