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Women&#39;s Studies

Got Consent?

As defined, consent is affirmative, and conscious, and voluntary words or actions, that give permission for specific sexual activity. Consent is active, not passive. Silence, in and of itself, cannot be interpreted as consent. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those word or actions created mutually understandable permission regarding willingness to engage in (and conditions of) sexual activity. Consent to any one form of sexual activity cannot automatically imply consent to any other forms of sexual activity.  In order to give consent, one must be of legal age; the legal age of Consent in Georgia is 16 years of age.

It's On Us: One Thing

Consent  is not present when an individual does not have the capacity to give consent, voluntarily or involuntarily, due to age (generally 16 in Georgia), physical condition, or disability that impairs the individual’s ability to give consent.

Sexual Violence Among College Students

  • More than 50% of sexual assaults involve alcohol


Effective Consent

Effective consent must entail an uninfluenced yes. Consent cannot be established if one person is incapacitated or feeling pressured to do something. Incapacitation is a state where someone cannot make rational, reasonable decisions because they lack the capacity to give knowing consent (e.g., to understand the “who, what, when, where, why or how” of their sexual interaction). Incapacity results from mental disability, sleep, unconsciousness, involuntary physical restraint, or from the consumption of rape drugs, alcohol or other drug use, or blackout. A person who is incapacitated from drugs or alcohol is unable to give consent. A person should not feel pressured or coerced into sexual activity.

Title IX Report An Incident REPORT AN INCIDENT


Title IX Office

24-Hour Response Hotline

Title IX Contacts


Sexual Misconduct Brochures

For Complainants (PDF)
For Respondents (PDF)