So, what does consent mean to you?
I think it's definitely like when both people completely agree and totally understand where the other person stands on the issue.
I think if there's any grey area there, it's not consent.
I suppose it's a willingness between two people.
You kinda reach that stage in a relationship and you both are ready to take the next step.
Well for me, 'sexual consent' means if you wanna have sex with someone, you gotta ask him first.
You can't just go in and do it.
Okay, so consent is basically like;
when people know you want it. It's kinda hard to describe...
...Yeah, it's like you know it's something, they know what's up.
In a good way like!
Consent means to me, I think it's agreement throughout.
And it's untainted by things like drink and stuff like that.
Kinda like an an unbiased kind of agreement between both of you.
If somebody doesn't want to do something, they want to do something
and they shouldn't you should never have to and consent doesn't always have to be verbal.
When both people are comfortable with what's happening,
they both know what's involved in it and they both give their full permission to be in it.
Basically, the ability to say 'yes' to what's going on around you that's pretty it.
And how would you recognize consent?
I think definitely that something has to be said, because if it's not,
people can take over gestures their own way and stuff, so I like a conversation or something like that.
Well I suppose, maybe have a conversation about it and we move on from there.
I think the conversation is all done in the eyes. It's the way you look at them.
You know like... (You just know)
No, you DO just know, like.
Like, you just... (It's the only way.)
Like, it's obvious when it's not. So like, when it is... It is, you know what I mean?
And do you think it's necessary to have a conversation?
To have a conversation about it? Oh, well...
I think that'll kinda make it awkward.
Maybe if you're not sure, maybe you should pop the question, you know?
But that's terriful, like!
I'd say it's a conversation. Just both people giving their full permission.
Like, I don't think body language should be taken as consent because it could be misinterpreted.
There's a combination of things you have to look for. Like, there's body language, there's conversations.
Like you can't take words at face value because sometimes don't actually...
Like, they're sarcastic or whatever. But you have to make sure.
But it's a combination of everything.
It would be verbal agreement, I think. That would be 'yes', you know.
I wouldn't just assume from someone's body language that it's a given to go for it, so.
Yeah, conversation is probably the best way to do it. Just to make sure everyone on the same page
There's no confusion or anything.
Do you think body language comes into it?
Yeah, definitely.
Like, it's still important I think to say it or to say things out loud and not make assumptions.
It's important to let the person know verbally. But people should know the signs themselves,
and I guess that's not exactly talked about a lot,
or nobody really teaches you to recognize signs that somebody may not be in a way...
Or a mental state or a physical state to be able to engage in that kind of thing.
...And then what would you think would be a barrier for someone looking to get consent.
If they're incapacitated in any way. Like, if they're drunk... On drugs...
Or if they're being forced into anything, like that.
Barriers? Eh, just drink [and] drugs.
Well, alcohol is a big factor.
Drugs, now is becoming a big issue.
Oh, drink [and] drugs, you know?
When drink is involved, everything's different.
Nobody really knows what the other person means.
Peer pressure would definitely be one. Like, that's 100%.
Consent is clear, continued enthusiasm throughout sex of any kind.
Consent isn't; "Oh, Emm... Okay..." It's a definite "Yes!"
Don't ever presume consent and respect your partners right to say "no."
Remember, the age of consent in Ireland is 17 and in Northern Ireland, its 16.