Data Base

Sex Work and Sexual Consent

(By Abby)

Sexual consent is an agreement to voluntarily participate in a sexual activity or physical contact.

Affected by the traditional cultures, women are always considered/expected to play a "passive" role in sexual relations. Even so, only when the "sexually passive person" agrees to willingly engage in sexual acts can one say that there is a consent; and silence, no refusal or uncertainty do not mean consent.

Regardless of the identities of the two parties, whether they are husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, casual sex partners, or sex worker and client, they need to obtain the sexual consent of each other before they can have sex. At the same time, both parties can withdraw sexual consent in the process. And a sexual consent is not given once and for all, a one-time consent cannot be mistaken as permanently valid.

Any act that involves sex that goes against the will of the other party is sexual violence.

Sexual consent requires communication between the two parties, by presenting their own ideas, clarifying the other's wishes, observing the other's body language and reactions, and ensuring that the other's consent is obtained. In addition to verbally expressing their wills, the two parties can also set a code which both clearly understand as a consent.

In fact, apart from sex, in all interactions, we should make efforts to understand other’s thoughts and respect each other's wishes.