Consent
Consent permits something to occur and is an agreement to do something that requires ongoing communication and respect (such as saying yes or no to physical touch).
Consent is foundational to creating and keeping healthy relationships with our family, friends, peers, and romantic relationships.
Consent for sexual activity
Kissing, sexual touching and sexual intercourse (oral, anal or vaginal) are all sexual activities. Everyone must agree to sexual activity, and consent must be obtained without feeling pressured.
Someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol cannot consent to sexual activity.
All sexual activity without consent is a criminal offense, regardless of age.
Consent for sexual activity and the law
Canadian law states that the age of consent to sexual activity is 16 years. The age of consent is higher when there is a relationship of trust, authority or dependency.
Under 16 years of age and close in age exceptions:
| Age of Youth | Can consent to sexual activity if the partner is: | Cannot consent if the person is: |
| 14-15 years | Less than five years older | A relationship of trust, authority or dependency or any sexual exploitation of the young person is present |
| 12-13 years | Less than two years older | A relationship of trust, authority or dependency or any sexual exploitation of the young person is present |
| Younger than 12 years | Unable to consent to any type of sexual activity | Unable to consent to any type of sexual activity |
For more information on age of consent to sexual activity please refer to the Government of Canada.
Check out the following resources to learn more:
Lesson Plans & Resources:
- Consent – Teaching Sexual Health.ca
- Online Relationships: Respect and Consent Lesson Plan – MediaSmarts
- Consent: What it is and why it’s important – Kids Help Phone
- Let’s Talk about Consent (Discussion Guide) – Thorn for Parents
- Consent – Domestic Assault Review Team
- Teen Health Source
- Consent – Sex & U
- Respect Sexual Consent – RCMP
- Online Dangers: Sexual Images and Videos – Public Safety Canada
- Consent Infographic – Coalition Against Sexual Exploited Youth (CASEY)
- Consent Toolkit – Amaze.org
Services related to this information:
- Contact your Public Health Nurse:
- 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
- 811 is free and confidential. 811 is available 24/7 and can provide support with mental health and addictions issues and more.
- Services formerly offered by the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line are now offered by 811. Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who is also a trained crisis intervener.
- Kids Help Phone – e-mental health services 24/7 across Canada call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
- NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre – 1-800-726-2743
- 2SLGBTQIA+ Warm Line – Planned Parenthood NL call/text 1-866-230-8041
- Bridge the Gapp
Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘go-to’ website for mental health information. Bridge the gapp offers self-help resources, links to local services, and invites people to share their personal stories. Bridge the gapp is free of cost and available to every resident in the province. The site is divided into adult and youth sections, however many services are appropriate for both.