Understanding Consent: The FRIES Framework

Consent is a clear, voluntary, and mutual agreement to engage in any physical or sexual activity. It is the foundation of any healthy interaction and must be active, not passive. Silence or the absence of a 'no' is not consent.

A helpful way to understand consent is through the acronym F.R.I.E.S.: • Freely Given: Made without pressure, force, manipulation, or influence of drugs/alcohol. • Reversible: Anyone can change their mind at any time, for any reason, even if they previously agreed. • Informed: Both parties must know exactly what they are agreeing to (e.g., using protection). • Enthusiastic: It should be something both parties actually want to do, not just tolerate. • Specific: Saying yes to one thing does not mean saying yes to everything.

Consent is about continuous communication, checked in on throughout an experience. Checking in shows respect and deepens trust between partners.