Consent Is Never an Assumption

Assuming consent because of how someone is dressed, where they are, what they have done before, or how a night has gone so far skips the one step that actually matters, which is asking and genuinely listening to the answer given in return. It reflects genuine care for the other person's comfort and choice.

Assumptions feel convenient because they avoid an awkward moment, but they remove the other person's choice entirely from the situation. A short, clear question replaces guesswork with certainty, and that certainty is worth far more than the brief discomfort of simply asking first. This matters just as much in familiar relationships as new ones.

If you are working through what this means for you in your own life, support is available whenever you need it most. 1800RESPECT is on 1800 737 732, 24 hours a day, and Lifeline is on 13 11 14 for anyone who wants to talk. There is no need to have the right words ready before you call.