Beyond the legal definition of sexual assault

Much of the conversation surrounding the Cornell sexual assault allegations has focused on what was or wasn’t illegal or what could be charged or prosecuted. But something doesn’t have to be illegal to be harmful.

When we focus only on legal definitions of sexual assault, we can overlook behaviors and choices that cause harm.  And when sexual violence prevention focuses primarily on what you could be arrested for, we teach young people to fear crossing a legal line rather than to understand and practice consent.

Legal accountability matters. But consent is about more than avoiding criminal consequences. It’s about preventing harm.

At Take Back the Halls, we use Planned Parenthood’s FRIES model to teach consent: Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific. We teach young people that sexual activity should happen only when everyone involved freely and enthusiastically wants it.

We answer questions about the law, but our focus is prevention. When consent isn’t clear, slow down. Check in. And stop if the answer isn’t an enthusiastic yes.

Your support makes this work possible. When you invest in Take Back the Halls, you help young people develop the knowledge and skills to give, receive, and recognize meaningful consent.

Together, we can Take Back the Halls and help young people build relationships and have sexual experiences that are safe, respectful, healthy, and consensual.

To learn more about consent and the FRIES model, visit Planned Parenthood.

If you or someone you know needs support, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-HOPE.