sex positive articles

Consent: boundaries, communication & sex

Shame-free guides on consent: how to ask, how to say no, and how to build sex on communication, trust and respect.

What is ‘Sexual Coercion’ and how does it show up in long-term relationships?

What is ‘Sexual Coercion’ and how does it show up in long-term relationships?

  • Evie Plumb (she/her)

Sexual coercion in long-term relationships can be hard to spot. A psychosexual therapist breaks down the examples, why it happens, and what you can do.

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How to send nudes safely with #NotYourPorn

How to send nudes safely with #NotYourPorn

  • NotYourPorn

Learn how to share nudes safely and consensually. Expert advice on consent, digital safety, platform security, and what to do if things go wrong. Shame-free guidance.

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The consent conversation: what to do when you find it hard to say no

The consent conversation: what to do when you find it hard to say no

  • Evie Plumb (she/her)

Struggling to say no? Learn practical scripts for setting sexual boundaries without guilt, how to handle pressure, and why you never owe anyone an explanation.

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Consent is the foundation of good sex, full stop. But it’s so much more than a one-off yes or no. This is your space for exploring what enthusiastic, ongoing consent actually looks like in practice: how to ask for what you want, how to say no (and hear it), and how to keep checking in without killing the mood.

Whether you’re figuring out how to talk about boundaries with a new partner, unpicking what you were (or weren’t) taught about consent growing up, or looking for ways to make it feel natural rather than awkward, you’ll find honest, judgement-free guidance here. And if something has happened that didn’t feel okay, you deserve support: organisations like Rape Crisis England & Wales, Rape Crisis Scotland or RAINN in the US offer free, confidential help.

All Consent Articles

What is ‘Sexual Coercion’ and how does it show up in long-term relationships?

What is ‘Sexual Coercion’ and how does it show up in long-term relationships?

  • Evie Plumb (she/her)

Sexual coercion in long-term relationships can be hard to spot. A psychosexual therapist breaks down the examples, why it happens, and what you can do.

How to send nudes safely with #NotYourPorn

How to send nudes safely with #NotYourPorn

  • NotYourPorn

Learn how to share nudes safely and consensually. Expert advice on consent, digital safety, platform security, and what to do if things go wrong. Shame-free guidance.

The consent conversation: what to do when you find it hard to say no

The consent conversation: what to do when you find it hard to say no

  • Evie Plumb (she/her)

Struggling to say no? Learn practical scripts for setting sexual boundaries without guilt, how to handle pressure, and why you never owe anyone an explanation.

Consent in long-term relationships: why it still matters

Consent in long-term relationships: why it still matters

  • Evie Plumb (she/her)

Why It Still Matters Meta Description: Consent doesn’t stop after the first time. Learn why ongoing consent matters in relationships, how to maintain communication, and why checking in improves intimacy.

Thank You for Saying No: How Rejection Builds Trust and Consent Culture

Thank You for Saying No: How Rejection Builds Trust and Consent Culture

  • Andy Hartley (he/him)

Have you ever thanked someone for saying no? How did it go? And how do you usually handle rejection? This is a topic that’s particularly important when we talk about consent and healthy relationships, but it actually applies to all areas of life.

Consent FAQs

The most common Cliterally community questions, answered.

What does consent actually mean?

Consent is a freely given, informed and enthusiastic agreement to take part in something sexual. It can be withdrawn at any time, and saying yes to one thing doesn’t mean saying yes to everything.

Yes, always. You can change your mind at any point, for any reason, and your partner should stop straight away. The same goes for them.

No. Consent matters every single time, whether it’s a first date or you’ve been together twenty years. Being in a relationship never means you owe anyone sex.

Someone who’s very drunk, high, asleep or unconscious can’t give consent. If you’re not sure whether someone is able to consent, the answer is to stop.

Keep it simple and genuine: ‘Is this okay?’, ‘Do you want to keep going?’ or ‘What would feel good?’ all work. Checking in can be seriously hot, and it gets easier (and more natural) the more you do it.

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