Consent: Communication, Choice and Respect

Name:

Date:

Part 1: Understanding Consent

Learning intentions: I can describe consent, recognise pressure or coercion, communicate respectfully, and identify ways to seek support.

You may pass on sharing personal experiences. You can use fictional examples or discuss ideas generally.

Consent is a clear, freely made and informed choice to take part in something. Consent must be specific, enthusiastic, ongoing and reversible. Anyone can change their mind at any time.

Consent is not present when someone is pressured, threatened, manipulated, tricked, intoxicated, asleep or unable to make a free choice. Silence or not resisting does not automatically mean yes.

1. Which words describe healthy consent? Tick all that apply.

Freely given

Specific

Based on pressure

Reversible

Ongoing

2. True or false: If someone agrees once, they have agreed every time.

True

False

3. Which response best shows respect for a person's choice?

“If you cared about me, you would say yes.”

“It is okay to say no. What would you like to do?”

“You agreed yesterday, so you must agree today.”

4. In your own words, explain the difference between consent and pressure or coercion.

Part 2: Communication and Scenarios

Useful sentence starters: “Are you comfortable with this?” “I would like to stop.” “No, thank you.” “I am not sure yet.” “Let’s check in.” “I respect your decision.”

5. Scenario: Ari asks Mo if they would like a hug. Mo says, “Not today.” Ari replies, “No problem,” and gives Mo space. Is consent present for the hug? Explain why.

Yes

There is not enough information

6. Scenario: Lee keeps asking Sam to share a private message after Sam says no. Lee says, “Everyone else would do it.” Is this respectful consent? Explain.

Yes

There is not enough information

7. Scenario: Casey agrees to an activity but then becomes quiet and says, “I want to stop.” What should the other person do?

8. Write two respectful sentence starters someone could use to check consent or communicate a boundary.

9. If someone feels unsafe, pressured or confused, name two trusted people or services they could contact in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Possible supports include a trusted adult, whānau member, school counsellor, health professional, Youthline (0800 376 633 or text 234), Safe to Talk (0800 044 334 or text 4334), or emergency services on 111 if there is immediate danger.

10. What is one respectful action you could take when someone says “no”, “stop” or “I’m not sure”?

Teacher Answer Guide

1. Freely given, specific, reversible and ongoing.

2. False. Consent must be given each time and can change.

3. “It is okay to say no. What would you like to do?”

4. Consent is a free and informed choice. Pressure or coercion involves trying to control someone’s choice through repeated requests, guilt, threats, manipulation or other unfair influence.

5. Yes. Mo clearly declined, and Ari respected the decision.

6. No. Lee is applying pressure and not respecting Sam’s refusal.

7. Stop immediately, check in respectfully, accept the person’s decision and give them space if wanted.

8. Accept any appropriate examples, such as “Are you comfortable with this?” or “I would like to stop.”

9. Accept any suitable trusted adult or support service. Reinforce that seeking help is a strength and that immediate danger should be reported to 111.

10. Stop, listen, accept the answer without arguing, and check what the person needs.