Consent and boundaries in casual encounters
Casual does not mean careless. Sexual consent should be freely given, specific and ongoing, with space for either person to stop or change their mind without pressure.
Do not infer consent from the setting
Coming home together, wearing revealing clothes, exchanging flirtatious messages or having had sex before does not establish agreement to sex now. Ask clearly and listen to the answer. Silence, hesitation or going along with pressure should not be treated as an enthusiastic yes.
Make stopping an ordinary option
You can say ‘Would you like to continue?’ or ‘We can pause.’ Accept a change of mind immediately, without demanding a reason. If a person is asleep, unconscious or too intoxicated to make a clear decision, stop. When communication is uncertain, pause instead of trying to interpret uncertainty in your favour.
Respect each separate boundary
Agreement to one activity does not cover every activity. Photos, recording, sharing details and introducing another person each require their own discussion and agreement. Keep private material private. If a boundary is crossed, focus on stopping and listening rather than defending your intentions.