Consent

When you consent to have sex with your partner, you are doing so throughout the sexual encounter.  You can withdraw consent at any point.

Consent is always retractable, given willingly and enthusiastically, and essential in sex. It’s not just a matter of saying yes, you can give consent both verbally and through body language. This lets your partner know that you are enjoying yourself or if it’s not what you want.  Equally, you can also withdraw consent verbally or with your body in the same way.  

It doesn’t matter who you are having sex with, how far you have gone during the sex you are having or, whether you have had sex with them or others in the past. If you decide you don’t want to continue or, want to stop what you are doing, then that is your right to do so. 

If someone is not listening to what you want or, putting pressure on you to engage in any sexual activities - this is considered coercion. Being pressured and coerced to have sex is just as wrong as someone physically holding you down. Even if you haven’t said no, you still have not given consent freely and enthusiastically, therefore you are not agreeing to what is happening.

If you are engaging in kinky sex, consent follows the same principles, but in addition, you must be in a position to both consent and withdraw consent easily.

Remember no matter what situation you are in, you can say no to sex.  However, just because you haven’t said no, this doesn’t mean yes.  If you feel the sex you are having is not what you want then you are not agreeing to it. 

If at any point you or your partner(s) become hesitant, uncomfortable or unsure, you have the right to say no and stop what you're doing.  

Some things to help you feel comfortable saying no:

• Think about what you are and aren't comfortable doing - this can help you feel confident in knowing when you want to say no.
• Talk to your partner(s) about what you are and aren't comfortable doing before getting involved in sex.

Consent isn’t just what you have agreed to do with someone on an app. It is a continuous conversation between you and your partner(s).

The important thing in getting consent is to make sure that you talk about what you want to do and how you both feel during sex. You can do this easily by asking questions like:

• is it okay if I touch you there?
• is this okay?
• are you okay?
• do you like that?

Remember, when checking in with your partner(s) during any sexual activities, their verbal and body language should be enthusiastic! If it isn't, you should stop what you are doing and talk about it. Just because the person you’re having sex with is aroused, such as having a hard-on, doesn’t necessarily mean they are consenting to what is happening. Consent needs to be enthusiastic, willing and given freely. Sometimes this may mean pausing, or stopping altogether, to ensure that what you are doing is consensual.

 Other things to bear in mind include:

• Being in a relationship does not automatically mean consent. In fact, it makes no difference at all.
• Just because you are in a sexualised environment, such as a sauna, doesn’t mean you have the right to have sex with whoever you want.
• If your partner hasn’t said no then it doesn’t mean they have consented either.
• If your partner is under the influence of alcohol or drugs they may not be able to consent.
• Just because your partner has talked about things on apps doesn’t mean they are consenting to it in real life.
• If you are having kinky sex, agree to safe words, and never put your partner in a position where they are unable to give or withdraw consent.

Remember no matter what situation you are in, you can say no to sex. The important thing in getting consent is to make sure that you talk about what you want to do and how you both feel during sex. This includes talking about what parts of your body you’re happy being involved such as your front hole, and chest.

Consent is an ongoing conversation and sometimes this may mean pausing, or stopping altogether, to ensure that what you are doing is consensual.  

Sex and consent   

Make sure to get consent from sexual partners for any sex toys you’re using, even if it's a prosthetic penis. It’s important to talk to sexual partners before so you know that they’re up for having sex with a toy, and to make sure you’re both consenting to the sex you’re having. 

If you have had phalloplasty then that is regarded in law as the same as any other flesh and blood penis so you don't need to tell partners it was surgically constructed.

If you, or your partner, have consumed alcohol or taken drugs, neither of you may be able to consent to having sex or engaging in any other sexual activities (including Chemsex).

To give consent you must have the capacity to be informed. In other words, you must be able to know and understand what you are consenting to, freely and willingly, for consent to be valid.

Having sex or engaging in any other sexual activities without consent, where you or your partner(s) are not able to freely give consent, is rape or sexual assault. 

View our online resource about Alcohol and Consent to learn more.

Stealthing is when your partner removes the condom either from his cock or yours without your explicit consent.  When this happens, it means you are having unprotected sex.

If you have agreed to use a condom, but it is removed during sex without your agreement, then the consent is over and it is not consensual. Stealthing is illegal and a crime. It doesn’t matter if you continue to have sex and climax. If this has happened you should speak to your local sexual health service, who may be able to offer you PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis for after Sexual Exposure), if they think you have been at risk of HIV. They can also support you in reporting this to the police. 

If you have not consented to the sex or sexual activity you have had, then you are a victim of a crime and you can report this to the police by calling 101 or in emergency 999.

Many men find it difficult to report crimes related to sex because of fear that the police and legal system will judge them, discriminate against them or not take it seriously. Thankfully, Police Scotland work with organisations like SX Scotland and have specially trained officers to help men who have been victims of sexual assault and rape.

You can get support from your local sexual health service or third sector organisation. You can contact us for details of our relevant services in your area. You can also contact Rape Crisis Scotland on 08088 01 03 02 for confidential support and information. They have local rape crisis centres across Scotland for ongoing support.