The Importance of Teaching Consent Early

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Education on sexual assault starts with teaching consent. All people have the right to set boundaries with their bodies, possessions and actions. It's important to teach that it’s okay to set boundaries, and those boundaries deserve to be respected.

It's easy to teach consent to children without discussing sex. It starts with asking other people for permission to touch them or play with one of their possessions. Explain to children that it's okay for someone to say no, and that consent can be withdrawn at any time. Let them know that they do not have to accept unwanted physical contact from adults. Instruct about the difference between an enthusiastic yes and a non-response. Be sure to set a good example with consent in your own life.

Founder of More Than No, Madeline Harris, joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how teaching consent early can help with sexual assault awareness and prevention.