Consent - Shared Meaning Please!

I've recently been in some fairly 'high level' discussions about how the PB process can be used to address issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation and Radicalisation. At the same time I have been receiving what feels like daily emails linking to articles about teaching children and young people about what I would refer to as 'informed consent'. In fact, Ann Seal and I had a lengthy discussion on the 'phone a couple of nights ago about 'consent' in perhaps its wider sense and I decided then to start this forum thread.
This link will take you to one of the aforementioned articles. In this particular article I really like the way it highlights that the responsibility to seek consent lies with the person seeking it and in terms of shared meaning consent needs to be granted 'in no uncertain terms'.
This also reminds me of people who seem to think it's ok to touch/hug/stoke another person without asking if it's ok first. It also reinforces how respectful touch can be taught and modelled from the word 'go'. For example, when parents/carers are taught Infant Massage they are reminded to ask 'permission' from the babies in their care as in 'would you like a massage' before attempting to do so and not 'go there' if the baby shows signs of distress or disengagement. Would't if be fab if people respected this feedback in older people.

I know Ann has a fantastic example, in my opinion, of how an adult recently working with young children helped them to experience 'informed consent' and will wait for her to share it with you.

I feel so hopeful that things can and are changing when I hear the things people are doing to help other people understand that 'no' or a lack of a 'yes' means 'no'. Would love to hear more examples too.
SA

Thanks Sally Ann, an excellent topic, in my opinion.

I remember some months ago when California led the way in the US with a radical parallel/mirroring approach to 'No means No', with this new legislation:

www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/29/ye...ornia-sexual-consent

Seems there is so much for young people and adults to learn about this, and the only way to get shared meaning is to talk about it, I think.

Many thanks again for raising this very current issue in the framework of Protective Behaviours.

My pleasure Judith - and would also like to thank Fiona Fletcher for sharing this piece with me that I believe is being circulated via Local Safeguarding Children's Boards. I think the image is really powerful and every time I'm offered or offer a cup of tea it comes to mind


I've also just visited rockstar dinosaur pirate princess's website and discovered that a stick person animation designed by Blue Seat Studios has been added to accompany these words - fantastic in my opinion and I think could really help illustrate how the absence of the word 'no' doesn't mean 'yes'.

Looking forward to sharing this with many more people as feel it could make a difference - after all that's what people talking with other people can do.

Wondering what you think?

SA

Looks like 3 years later the focus on teaching Consent is still relevant!!!
Thank You Ann Seal for sharing this short film:
www.teachconsent.org/#ask

So it's now 2018 and Consent is still a hot topic. Perhaps the introduction of compulsory Relationships and Sex Education - would much prefer this to be called Relationship and Sexuality Education - timetabled for September 2019 could be reinforcing this.
I really enjoy revisiting my thinking topics and there's no doubt Twitter helps/hinders this - sometimes i don't think I can keep up or think it might be time to leave this platform as can't quite comprehend how some people can behave so horribly to other users

I discovered a website called BISH via Twitter when they commented on the Tea & Consent and this provided me with another opportunity to reflect. I'm looking forward to sharing this during training and have contacted the author - so far not had a response. I would find it interesting to hear your thoughts - perhaps this could be something we could chat about at a PBA meeting

bishtraining.com/Have+you+seen+that+tea+and+consent+video