{"id":105,"date":"2026-01-16T16:57:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T21:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/?page_id=105"},"modified":"2026-05-14T16:11:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T20:11:01","slug":"consent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/wellness\/relationship-sexual-violence-prevention\/consent\/","title":{"rendered":"Consent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Consent<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What is Consent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Consent is permission one person gives to another person to do something or agree to do something.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We practice consent in our daily lives all the time. When we ask someone if we can borrow their property, that\u2019s practicing consent. We even practice consent non-verbally, like when we open our arms, non-verbally asking for a hug, and the other person gives us a non-verbal signal that they don\u2019t want a hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consent is always important, but it is\u202fespecially\u202f<\/em>important when it comes to sexual activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Consent is Required<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As defined by the University of Tennessee\u2019s Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking<\/a>, consent is \u201can active agreement to participate in a sexual act.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is an active agreement?<\/div><\/h2>
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An active agreement<\/strong> is defined as words and\/or conduct that communicate a person\u2019s willingness to participate in a sexual act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

words<\/strong> = spoken, written, or signed language <\/p>\n\n\n\n

conduct\u202f<\/strong>= non-verbal body language, movements, or behaviors <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is a sexual act? <\/div><\/h2>
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A sexual act\u202f<\/strong>can include any of the following, without limitation: <\/p>\n\n\n\n