Consent and healthy relationships

Consent

Consent occurs when a person freely and voluntarily agrees to engage in a sexual act. Consent cannot be given by people who are:

  • incapacitated due to intoxication or the influence of drugs
  • incapacitated due to their age or intellectual capacity
  • unconscious or asleep
  • under threat of or actual force
  • intimidated, coerced or threatened
  • unlawfully detained or held against their will
  • tricked or manipulated due to the person being in a position of trust into providing consent

For more information about consent, visit 1800RESPECT | Consent.

Healthy Relationships

Positive, safe and respectful relationships are fundamental to our health and wellbeing. Healthy relationships are entwined with our overall wellbeing and have a protective effect on our long-term health. In a healthy relationship, personal boundaries are respected, decisions are made collaboratively, and people spend time enjoying shared activities while also pursuing their own individual interests and hobbies.

There may be some relationships in which the people in the relationship are not equal (e.g. parent and child, or academic or student). A power dynamic is created by the different roles within the relationship, so those in the relationship may not be considered equal. These relationships can still be healthy when they are grounded in mutual respect.

There are many different types of relationships that enrich our lives. Respectful relationships are based on:

  • Communication
  • Mutual respect
  • Equality
  • Trust
  • Collaborative decision making
  • Respecting boundaries

For more information about consent, visit 1800RESPECT | Healthy Relationships.

Support resources

Find all training and education resources on the Training and education page.