Education

“Consent” according to Georgia Southern University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, means words or actions that show a knowing and voluntary willingness to engage in mutually agree upon activity. Consent cannot be gained by force, intimidation or coercion; by ignoring or acting in spite of objections of another; or by taking advantage of the incapacitation of another where the respondent knows or reasonably should have known of such incapacitation. Minors under the age of 16 cannot legally consent under Georgia law.

Consent is also absent when the activity in question exceeds the scope of consent previously given. Past consent does not imply present or future consent. Silence or an absence of resistance does not imply consent.

Consent can be withdrawn at any time by a party by using clear words or actions.

According to RAINN, “sexual assault” refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include:

• Attempted rape
• Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body
• Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape

Georgia Southern University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy identifies sexual assault as nonconsensual sexual contact and nonconsensual sexual penetration.

“Sexual misconduct” is the umbrella term for acts covered under Georgia Southern University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. It includes, but is not limited to, such unwanted behavior as dating violence, domestic violence, nonconsensual sexual contact, nonconsensual sexual penetration, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and stalking.