When a Minor Says YES Is It Really Consent?

Sexual assault rates are climbing. We’re finally screaming about it. Good  

but listen to the silence between our screams.  It sounds like a 13-year-old saying “YES” because her uncle said he’d hurt her mom if she didn’t.  It sounds like a 15-year-old “agreeing” because his youth pastor told him this is how men show love.   It echoes like the young 16 year old boy whose aunt tells him to join her in the shower. He cannot disobey because we were taught to obey our elders. What does our society call this? It screams assault  to me. Am I wrong?  

We cannot be more ignorant than this.  Not only should children be given sex education but also the society. Society asks questions like: 

     “She didn’t fight back, so was it really no?”

     “He didn’t fight back so was it really not?”

    “She agreed later, so does it matter

     ”He agreed later, so does it matter?”

      “They were dating, so isn’t it          allowed?”   when the victim is 16 or 17 years old.  Especially when the victim is a guy. 

I read about a case where a 16-year-old boy was allegedly raped. The defense? “He didn’t tell me his age.” As if not knowing his age somehow makes it legal but it does not. We cannot deny the fact that it was an assult. 

  If a minor says “YES”, it means “NO”. Children and minors do not have the legal or emotional maturity to consent to sexual relationships with adults. Any adult who exploits a child is abusing power, trust, and vulnerability. 

         Our society should be more informed about this. The teachers, the gate men, the house maids, the uncles and aunts. We should all be aware of what consent truly is. 

        Consent is not silence.

        Consent is not fear.

      Consent is not pressure.

      Consent is not manipulation.

     Consent is not something forced after repeated begging.

     Consent is a free, willing, informed, and enthusiastic agreement. 

   The campaign message is simple and powerful: If she/he  says “NO,” then NO means NO. If a minor says “YES,” it still means NO. Those words carry a truth society needs to repeat louder.

    Let's be honest; when was the last time you heard someone talk to 16 or 17-year-olds about sexual assault?Not about them. To mthem.  

We warn adults. We protect little kids. But we leave teenagers in this grey area where groomers thrive. So here’s your reminder: If they’re under 18, it’s not consent. It’s abuse. And our silence is costing them.

 We  need better conversations at home, in schools, workplaces, religious spaces, and institutions.

Teach this clearly:

No means no.

Silence is not yes.

Minors cannot consent.

Power should never be abused.

Reporting abuse should be safe and supported.

One word can save dignity, safety, and lives.

NO. It should never require translation.It should never require negotiation.It should never require force to be respected.When someone says no, listen.When a child is involved, protect them.