Consent means freely choosing to say yes to something; whether that is having a cup of tea, going on a college trip or choosing to have sex.
When two people agree to have sex, they have both given their consent. If at any time one of the people changes their mind, has been threatened, drugged or had too much to drink then they are not giving their consent willingly.
Sex without consent is a criminal offence.
Remember, the age you can legally have sex in the UK is 16 years old. The age is the same for everyone, whether you’re male, female, transgender, bi, straight, or gay.
Videos
If you’re still struggling with consent, watch Thames Valley Police's YouTube video to help explain it.
You can also watch videos where students at The Towers Convent School and St Philip Howard Catholic High Academy give their views on what healthy relationships, consent and online safety mean to them.