"Yes Means Yes" legislation

"Yes Means Yes" legislation is a legal standard for consent in sexual activity, primarily adopted in certain U.S. states. It requires that all sexual encounters are based on clear, affirmative agreement from both parties, meaning consent must be actively given and communicated. This approach shifts the focus from asking what someone did or didn’t do to whether they genuinely agreed to the activity. It emphasizes mutual, enthusiastic participation and aims to prevent sexual assault by ensuring that consent is explicit and ongoing, not assumed from silence or past behavior.