Perceptions of consent in UK Higher Education: Implications for policy and training

Unwanted and non-consensual sexual experiences are considered to be pervasive across UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Yet what sexual consent is and what it means to consent to sexual activity is still relatively understudied, specifically amongst the UK Higher Education student population. In this chapter, I explore definitions of sexual consent from legal and sociocultural contexts. I consider students’ definitions and understanding of consent within these contexts alongside factors that might contribute to their sexual consent understanding and communication. Finally, I examine sexual consent from the perspective of HEIs by examining sexual misconduct policies, the necessity of sexual consent education, and their responsibilities to ensure student safety. An understanding of sexual consent alone may not influence major societal change nor reduce unwanted and non-consensual sexual experiences, but it can help start the conversation on a more informed understanding of what university communities mean by consent.