Non-consensual

Referring to an act or situation that occurs without the freely given, informed, and voluntary agreement of all parties involved. It implies a lack of permission, consent, or willingness. This can involve actions against a person's body, property, or privacy. Crucially, the absence of consent, whether explicitly stated or implicitly understood in the context of the interaction, renders the action non-consensual. It represents a violation of personal autonomy and can lead to various forms of harm, depending on the nature of the action.

Non-consensual meaning with examples

• The police investigated the incident, concluding that the intimate act was non-consensual due to the victim's clear lack of agreement. Her verbal and physical attempts to resist were disregarded, leaving her vulnerable. The evidence, including witness testimony and physical findings, supported the determination of non-consensual behavior and the aggressor's disregard for her expressed wishes.
• News reports detailed a non-consensual data breach where personal information was harvested without users' knowledge. The company's weak security practices enabled unauthorized access, leading to the theft and potential misuse of sensitive data. The users, whose data was stolen, were unaware of what happened; they had no opportunity to agree with their data being compromised.
• During the protest, several demonstrators were arrested for what the police claimed were non-consensual acts of property damage. The authorities argued the protestors did not respect public property, and their actions of defacing public monuments and buildings were illegal. The protestors' behavior was seen as violating the law because it occurred without the property owners’ permission.
• The university suspended the professor after an internal investigation found evidence of non-consensual actions with a student. It included repeated attempts to coerce the student into private meetings that she had rejected; her repeated rejection was ignored. The university, emphasizing its commitment to protecting students, took swift action when presented with enough convincing evidence.
• In legal proceedings, the court examined the circumstances to decide if the medical procedure performed was non-consensual. The patient had been incapacitated at the time of the operation, and the doctors did not procure consent from a designated surrogate. Because of the patient’s condition and the lack of consent, the court concluded that the operation was non-consensual.