The #MeToo Movement Hasn't Led to a Better Understanding of Consent.

• Author: Senior, Paulette
• Position: Reprint

If you had to define what constitutes consent in sexual situations, what would you say? Is it something you could explain to your children?

If you're feeling awkward or hesitating, you're not alone. And even if you think you know how to define consent, our latest survey at the Canadian Women's Foundation, which was part of the Foundation's annual Campaign to End Violence, will challenge your assumptions.

While the #MeToo movement has prompted unprecedented conversation around the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, this survey underlines the urgent need to focus on prevention and education.

If you had to define what constitutes consent in sexual situations, what would you say? Is it something you could explain to your children?

If you're feeling awkward or hesitating, you're not alone. And even if you think you know how to define consent, our latest survey at the Canadian Women's Foundation, which was part of the Foundation's annual Campaign to End Violence, will challenge your assumptions.

While the #MeToo movement has prompted unprecedented conversation around the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, this survey underlines the urgent need to focus on prevention and education.

The survey's question about defining consent asked respondents to choose which factors are needed to ensure sexual activity is consensual. Only 28 per cent--shockingly 5 per cent less than a 2015 Foundation report--recognized that consent should be:

* Verbal (ex: saying yes)

* Behavioural (ex: initiating sexual contact)

* Enthusiastic (ex: undressing themselves, clearly enjoying themselves, wholly participating)

* Ongoing (ex: continuing to provide positive verbal or behavioural cues during the activity)

Although the terms verbal, behavioural and ongoing are in line with Canada's legal definition of consent, myths and confusion endure.

For example, some might believe that if one partner doesn't actually say "no," or is silent, there is consent. But sexual situations that cross the line into assault can lead to a range of verbal and non-verbal reactions. Someone who is experiencing sexual assault may involuntarily freeze in response to what they're experiencing, and not be able to communicate their refusal.

Given that sexual assault is often committed by someone a woman knows, in the moment she may feel a sense of disbelief or paralysis that someone she cares about is hurting her. Women's socialization around "being nice" when it comes to conflict may...