What Does Consent Really Mean?

"Consent is not the absence of 'NO', it is an enthusiastic YES!!" While seemingly straightforward, Tia and Bryony hadn't considered this subject too seriously until it comes up in conversation with their friends and they realise just how important it is. Following the sexual assault of a classmate, a group of teenage girls find themselves discussing the term consent, what it actually means for them in their current relationships, and how they act and make decisions with peer influence. Joined by their male friends who offer another perspective, this rich graphic novel uncovers the need for more informed conversations with young people around consent and healthy relationships. Accompanying the graphics are sexual health resources for students and teachers, which make this a perfect tool for broaching the subject with teens.

Table of Contents:
1. What Does Consent Really Mean? 2. Resources.

About the Author :
Pete Wallis is the Senior Practitioner in Restorative Justice for Oxfordshire Youth Justice Service UK and a founding member of the charity SAFE! Support for young people affected by crime. Joseph Wilkins is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Oxford. He graduated from Falmouth College of Arts in 2006. His website can be found at www.josephwilkins.co.uk. Thalia Wallis is a relational psychotherapist who supports young victims of crime, as well as delivering psycho-educational workshops in schools to increase students' mental well-being and resilience.

Review :
Every school library and child's bookshelf should have a copy of this book. It is clear, accessible and extremely relevant. It addresses the myriad of issues that ought to be part of contemporary sex education: consent, sexting, sexual exploitation and toxic masculinity. It is both a useful starting point to these discussions, and a helpful referral tool. Overall, I think this is a fantastic educational comic. It doesn't judge or talk down to its target adolescent audience. It understands that conversations about consent and sex are uncomfortable, and it aims to make learning about boundaries as casual and easy as possible. Most importantly, WHAT DOES CONSENT REALLY MEAN? doesn't vilify wanting to have sex, which I think repels a lot of teens from sex education. The comic is honest and straightforward, and it even includes statistics and resources in the back. I recommend it to anyone who is curious or uncomfortable having real discussions with others. First published in the U.K., this graphic novel follows the conversations that unfold among teenage classmates after a student leaves school following a sexual assault. Rumors circulate ('All I'm saying is she must be a bit of a slut,' says one girl, who is quickly put in her place), yet as the diverse group of teenage girls makes its way around town, one reveals that her boyfriend sometimes pressures her into 'doing stuff.' A group of boys joins the unfolding conversation, which evolves into a discussion about cultural pressures and leads to meaningful revelations. Though the dialogue can be forced, this comic, cleanly illustrated by Wilkins, could easily serve as an icebreaker for readers to share their thoughts and concerns about consent. Ages 13-up. Gr 8 Up-As a group of girls leave school one day, Amina's phone blows up-a girl at their school has been raped, and everyone has something to say. Was she drunk? Was she conscious? Had she agreed to sex before passing out? A deep discussion ensues, and the girls all draw from their experiences as they explore notions of consent and respect, eventually settling on some fundamental declarations. "Relationships are meant to feel good for both of you." "You need to be able to say no without feeling bad about it." Then the boys show up, contributing their side of the story: the pressure they feel to appear experienced combined with a culture that values machismo. Gratifyingly, these boy tears get fairly short shrift. Instead, as the teens wander home, the book comes full circle as the boys measure their own relationships and attitudes against what they've learned. "I've never even asked her what she likes." "I guess you just don't do anything unless it's a definite yes." The kids are realistically diverse across multiple spectrums: black, white, sexually active, virgins, straight, gay, and bisexual. Some readers may interpret Amina, who wears a headscarf, as abstinent, as she contributes no firsthand experiences to the discussion, despite being very well informed. Content that could be heavy with pedagogy is instead lightened by informal, occasionally profane language and friendly teasing. VERDICT While undeniably talky, this sex-positive and inclusive book offers a down-to-earth approach to an awkward subject. Belongs in every middle and high school library.