Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530259
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 DECEMBER 2024 Consent: A conversation, not an assumption CONSENT lays the foundation for healthy and respectful interactions and relationships. It fosters trust, respect, mutual understanding and safety be- tween individuals. Thus, consent is a fundamental element in our daily in- teractions ensuring that all activities and communications between individ- uals are based on mutual agreement. By safeguarding consent, we ensure volun- tary and informed participation in any activities and settings, whether they are personal, professional or intimate. Consent is an active, informed and vol- untary agreement that individuals make freely without fearing any negative con- sequences or repercussions. It is impor- tant to note that consent is reversible, meaning that it can be withdrawn any time, regardless of prior decisions and agreements. In a similar vein, when one grants consent for participating in one act, it does not imply that the person is consenting for any other act which has not been discussed or agreed upon. Most importantly, consent requires a conversation in which respect and safe- ty must be prioritised. This will enable a setting where consent is clearly com- municated and enthusiastic. One cannot assume that the person is giving consent without keeping in mind the aspects mentioned above. Consent is deliberate and it cannot be granted if the person is pressured, coerced or ma- nipulated. Silence or lack of resistance do not mean consent. Consent is not only a matter of eth- ics, but it is a fundamental human right. Apart from the legal consequences that ensue, violating consent compromises the dignity, boundaries and autonomy of the person involved, particularly in intimate relationships. Non-consensu- al actions can lead to significant and profound impacts, including psycho- logical and emotional harm. Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression are the most common long-term effects. Moreover, non-consensual acts may lead to phys- ical injuries and complications related to sexual health. To seek consent in an effective man- ner, one should prioritise clear and di- rect communication. Questions like, 'Are you comfortable with this?', 'May I do this?', 'Is this okay with you?', are all examples of how clear and respectful consent may be sought. Another im- portant element is to empower individ- uals to freely give consent in a safe and pressure-free environment. Moreover, a key indicator of consent, is enthusi- astic participation. If the person shows any signs of silence, hesitation or with- drawal, the person may be experiencing discomfort due to unwanted acts. In such instances, one must stop immedi- ately and check in with the person. Consent is an ongoing process which requires consistent communication and check ins with the other person to en- sure that all involved remain comforta- ble with their decisions throughout the activity. Most importantly, when asking for consent one must respect and ac- cept the decisions of the other individ- ual. If a person says 'no' or is not en- gaging actively in the activity, one must always accept such decisions without pressuring or coercing the individual. The Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence will be disseminating informative leaflets in households across Malta and Gozo to emphasise the importance of consent, provide guidance on how to seek con- sent, and highlight the ramifications of its absence. The main aim of this ini- tiative is to foster a culture of consent in the local context to help reduce vi- olence and promote healthy relation- ships. This initiative is tied to the national campaign, 'Together we Stand. Togeth- er we Heal', which apart from raising awareness with the community on the various forms of gender-based violence and the professional support services, it sheds light on the importance of con- sent. Such campaign is organised for the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Equality and Reforms and the Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence.