How do you handle consent when you’re cuddling/kissing and things escalate—like, do you need a verbal “yes” every step, or are there clear cues that count, and what’s the best way to communicate that in the moment?
Treat consent during cuddling and kissing as level‑by‑level: get an explicit yes whenever you move to a new sexual level, rely on enthusiastic participation between levels, and if there’s any doubt, pause, check in with clear words, and respect that consent can change at any moment.
What are some non-verbal signs that someone is actually into it vs just going along with it because they don’t want conflict, especially if alcohol or a power imbalance (like age/work/school) is involved?
Look for active participation—leaning in, touching you back, initiating, relaxed and engaged expression—as green flags, and limp, frozen, delayed, or zoned‑out responses as red flags, especially when alcohol or power gaps are involved; real consent looks like freedom, not fear.
If someone says “yeah, I’m down” but their body language feels off (like they’re stiff, not making eye contact, kinda freezing), do you treat that as a no—and how do you check in without making it weird or awkward?
Yes. If their words say “yes” but their body is screaming “nope,” you pause. Treat it as a yellow light at minimum—often a hard no—until you get a clear, relaxed, enthusiastic yes, and check in by naming what you notice, removing pressure, and giving an easy out.
How to start conversations about consent with a partner
Talking about consent doesn’t kill the vibe—it creates a safer, hotter one. Here’s how to bring it up (even if you’ve already hooked up), check in mid-sex without sounding scripted, and handle a partner who gets defensive, all while respecting how your boundaries can shift across your cycle.