đź’¬ Beyond Yes and No: How Building a Consent Culture Can Transform Our Communities
“Consent isn’t just about what happens in the bedroom—it’s about the space we hold for each other in everyday life.”
April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), but the conversation we need to have right now goes beyond just raising awareness. It’s about reimagining how we treat one another, how we talk to our children, how we watch our movies, and how we challenge the casual dismissals of boundaries we’ve normalized for generations. It’s about building a consent culture—and it starts with each of us.
In a world where nearly half of all sexual assaults target young women, silence isn’t neutrality—it’s complicity. As an organization on the front lines of support and recovery, the Thompson Crisis Centre believes it’s time to push the conversation forward. So let’s dive into what a consent culture truly means—and why it matters more than ever.
🚦What Is Consent… Really?
We’ve all heard “no means no.” But that’s not the whole story.
Consent is:
- Freely given – not coerced, pressured, or manipulated.
- Reversible – you can change your mind at any time.
- Informed – everyone involved has the full picture.
- Enthusiastic – there’s genuine willingness.
- Specific – saying yes to one thing doesn’t mean yes to everything.
Consent isn’t a checklist—it’s a continuous, respectful dialogue. And yet, in classrooms, boardrooms, and even family dinner tables, we rarely talk about it with the depth and frequency it deserves.
đź“š Why Consent Education Matters (More Than Ever)
Consent doesn’t begin with sex—it begins with how we raise our children, how we speak to our friends, and how we model respect in our relationships.
Teaching consent early on:
- Normalizes bodily autonomy (e.g., letting children say no to hugs)
- Encourages empathy and emotional intelligence
- Helps youth identify red flags in relationships
- Gives survivors the language to name their experiences
Yet, consent education in schools is often underfunded or treated as optional. According to advocacy groups like Our Wave and NSVRC, comprehensive consent education is one of the most effective tools in preventing sexual violence.
It doesn’t just reduce harm—it builds healthier, more connected communities.
🎠The Unspoken Influencer: Media and Pop Culture
Let’s be honest—media has done us no favors when it comes to consent.
From romantic comedies that glorify “persistence” over “respect,” to songs with lyrics that blur boundaries, we’ve all been conditioned to think that ambivalence = mystery, and coercion = passion.
We need to ask:
- Why is saying “no” seen as playing hard to get?
- Why are male characters rewarded for ignoring boundaries?
- Why don’t we show clear, joyful consent in mainstream stories?
Shifting the narrative in pop culture is vital to building a consent culture. We don’t just absorb stories—we internalize them. The next generation deserves better scripts.
đź‘Ł Building a Consent Culture in Real Life
So what does this look like in action?
Here are some everyday ways to build a culture of consent:
- Ask before touching, hugging, or sharing personal stories.
- Respect boundaries—no guilt-tripping, no convincing.
- Model consent at home, especially around kids.
- Practice listening without defensiveness.
- Challenge rape jokes, sexist language, or victim-blaming.
Remember: building a culture of consent is about everyday interactions, not just romantic or sexual ones. It’s about creating space where everyone feels safe, heard, and in control of their choices.
⚖️ Don’t Leave Anyone Behind: Intersectionality and Consent
Consent isn’t a one-size-fits-all conversation.
People from marginalized communities—Indigenous women, LGBTQ+ youth, people with disabilities, racialized folks—often face more complex dynamics of power, silence, and disbelief.
For example:
- A disabled person may be assumed incapable of understanding consent.
- A racialized woman may fear reporting abuse due to distrust in police.
- An LGBTQ+ survivor may hesitate to disclose due to stigma or outing.
A true consent culture must be intersectional. It must center the voices of those who are disproportionately affected and too often unheard.
❌ Debunking the Biggest Consent Myths
Let’s set the record straight on a few persistent myths:
🔻 “If they didn’t say no, it’s fine.”
➡️ Wrong. Consent must be an active, enthusiastic yes—silence is not agreement.
🔻 “Once someone agrees, they can’t take it back.”
➡️ Consent is reversible at any time, for any reason.
🔻 “Consent ruins the mood.”
➡️ Real talk: consent is sexy, respectful, and empowering. The only mood killer is ignoring it.
💬 The Role of Bystanders: Silence Isn’t Neutral
We all have a role in ending sexual violence—even when we’re not directly involved.
Bystander intervention training empowers people to:
- Recognize situations where consent might be compromised
- Step in safely when witnessing harassment or coercion
- Support victims without judgment
Programs like “Bringing in the Bystander” show that community accountability works. It turns passive witnesses into active allies.
🌱 Let’s Normalize Healing Too
Consent culture isn’t just about prevention—it’s also about supporting survivors.
That means:
- Believing them.
- Avoiding blame.
- Providing trauma-informed care.
- Creating pathways to justice that don’t re-traumatize.
At the Thompson Crisis Centre, we know healing starts with being heard. Whether it’s through counseling, safe housing, education, or advocacy, our mission is to restore dignity and safety to those impacted by violence—and that includes giving them back the right to say “yes” or “no” without fear.
🙌 Take Action: Help Us Build a Culture of Consent
Building a consent culture doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long game of unlearning, listening, teaching, and showing up.
Here’s how you can take action today:
- Talk about consent—at home, at work, with friends.
- Donate to organizations like Thompson Crisis Centre that support survivors and educate communities.
- Attend SAAM events and consent workshops in your area.
- Call out harmful behavior, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Consent isn’t the ceiling of respect—it’s the floor.
It’s the bare minimum of how we should treat each other.
By teaching it, modeling it, and demanding it, we’re not just protecting people—we’re redefining what it means to be safe, seen, and free.
Let’s build a world where everyone’s “no” is heard, and every “yes” is joyful, respected, and real.
