Sexual assault | Non-verbal consent

This fact sheet references consent and sexual assault, which may include descriptions and words you find triggering.

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Non-verbal consent means giving agreement to something without using spoken words and is typically expressed through body language, facial expressions, or physical actions.

This form of consent is important to consider when supporting individuals who may be disabled, neurodivergent and/or are in a situation where verbal consent is not an option.

Examples of giving non-verbal consent may include:

• nodding your head
• thumbs up
• gesturing someone closer with your hands
• nodding yes
• making direct eye contact and gesturing
• using sign language.

However, it is vitally important to remember that body language and interpretation of body language is different for everyone, and relying on it alone can be difficult and cause problems.  

Things to consider:

• Be sure you are getting a clear, enthusiastic yes
• It's your responsibility to ask, check and be sure
• Don't assume there's consent if there's no physical or verbal resistance 
• Don't assume consent through passiveness, silence or lack of resistance.

Non-verbal consent can also be something venues such as bars, clubs, or sex on premises venues and saunas, can utilise to keep staff and service users safe. 

Examples of this may include:

• Posters talking about consent or any warning signs as you enter the venue
• A waiver that you sign on entry that takes you through rules of the establishment
• "Ask for Clive", a scheme to protect LBTQ+ people in venues
• "Ask for Angela", scheme to help anyone in venues

Further reading

Learn more about non-verbal consent here: 

• https://care.ucr.edu/education/what-is-consent  

• https://signhealth.org.uk/videotags/consent/  

Get help and support

Rape Crisis England & Wales has a 24/7 helpline. You can call the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222. You can also chat to them online at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.

Galop, the LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity has a helpline, email and web chat at www.galop.org.uk. Helpline: 0800 999 5428.

Find further help and support in our directory.