What’s Consent Got to Do with It?

Consent-Based Strategies for Preventing Sexual Violence With Adolescents

According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 11% of high school students were forced into sexual activity when they did not want to, and 9% were physically forced to have sexual intercourse, with LGBTQ+ youth impacted at even higher rates. The statistics are sobering but there’s something we can do: equip young people with the information, language, and skills they need to give and get consent. This workshop moves beyond simply telling teens 'no means no' to explore consent as an ongoing practice of communication, respect, and agency in relationships. Participants will gain a clear framework for teaching consent alongside practical conversation starters and engaging activities that make these critical discussions accessible and developmentally appropriate. Through a strengths-based lens that honors adolescent sexual development, you'll learn how to empower young people to build relationships rooted in mutual respect and clear communication. Whether you're navigating these conversations in schools, clinical settings, youth programs, or healthcare contexts, you'll walk away ready to make consent education a cornerstone of your work with teens.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe current research on rates of sexual violence among adolescents, including disparities affecting LGBTQ+ youth

• Explain how consent education supports both the prevention of sexual violence and the promotion of healthy sexual development in adolescents

• Apply a strengths-based approach to adolescent sexual health that honors development while building skills for communication and agency

• Use at least three conversation starters and activities to teach consent as an ongoing practice of communication and respect with adolescents