Young adults confuse consenting to a sexual act with relenting to pressure

Young adults are confusing consenting to a sexual act with relenting to pressure to do something, says child and adolescent psychotherapist, Joanna Fortune.

“Relenting is the grey area of consenting, at least amongst young people who find it hard to define that as non-consensual or assault.

“It feels uncomfortable and wrong and they can often experience the type of anxiety and trauma-based reactions sexual assault victims do,” Ms Fortune told the Irish Examiner.