Library and Academic Services: Sexual Violence Awareness -- Education, Prevention and Supports: Building a Culture of Consent

Introduction

Building a Culture of Consent

Creating a culture of consent on campus to prevent sexual violence is everyone’s responsibility. But what does this involve? Recognizing the reality of rape culture—an environment where sexual violence has been normalized— is an important first step.

Understanding consent is also crucial— but unfortunately, consent is highly misunderstood. While almost all Canadians (96%) agree that sexual activity must be consensual, only 28% of Canadians know how to properly give or receive it.

In short, consent requires a clear, voluntary agreement to participate in sexual activity. Consent is not silence or the absence of “no”. Consent must be freely given, ongoing, and—importantly—it can be revoked at any time.

These resources delve into the details of consent and how to create a culture based on consent in everyday interactions, not just sex. This involves respecting people’s boundaries and personal autonomy in both personal and professional settings.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Web-based Video Resources

Tea Consent

Warning: Explicit language

How Do You Know if Someone Wants to Have Sex with You? | Planned Parenthood Video

The only way to know if someone wants to have sex with you is to ask. Consent is about asking, and listening to the answer.

#ThatsHarassment (YouTube Channel)
These films, written and directed by Sigal Avin and executive produced by Avin, David Schwimmer and Mazdack Rassi of MILK Studios – depict various cases of sexual harassment, all based on real events.
Consent 101 (YouTube Playlist)
Get the basics of Consent in this Planned Parenthood series.
Tarana Burke: Me Too is a movement, not a moment | TED Talk
In 2006, Tarana Burke was consumed by a desire to do something about the sexual violence she saw in her community. She took out a piece of paper, wrote "Me Too" across the top and laid out an action plan for a movement centered on the power of empathy between survivors. More than a decade later, she reflects on what has since become a global movement -- and makes a powerful call to dismantle the power and privilege that are building blocks of sexual violence. "We owe future generations nothing less than a world free of sexual violence," she says. "I believe we can build that world."
What Does Support In The Workplace Look Like? | Farrah Khan on Workplace Consent Culture
Farrah knows that safe, supportive, respectful work environments make for happier, healthier & more productive employees.
In her Toronto Engage 2018 presentation, she discusses this very important question: Would you know what to do if a staff member disclosed they had been sexually assaulted?

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Library Resources

Ask: Building Consent Culture by Kitty Stryker
Publication Date: 2017
"It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" Violating consent isn't limited to sexual relationships, and our discussions around consent shouldn't be, either. To resist rape culture, we need a consent culture--and one that is more than just reactionary. Left confined to intimate spaces, consent will atrophy as theory that is never put into practice. ...
This book is not available through OneSearch, but you can request it through our Inter-Library Loan service.
Campuses of Consent by Theresa Kulbaga; Leland Spencer; Clare Daniel
Location: ebook
Publication Date: 2019
This new book for scholars and university administrators offers a provocative critique of sexual justice language and policy in higher education around the concept of consent. Complicating the idea that consent is plain common sense, Campuses of Consent shows how normative and inaccurate concepts about gender, gender identity, and sexuality erase queer or trans students' experiences ...

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Recommended Websites

Campus Toolkit for Building Consent Culture (CFS)
The following documents make up a toolkit for campus-based anti-sexual violence work that has been put together by several students’ union representatives. The toolkit includes a collection of best practices for lobbying efforts, outreach and overall awareness and education on campus.
Consent (University of Ottawa)
Consent requires the voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. An individual must actively and willingly give consent to sexual activity. Simply stated, sexual activity without consent is sexual assault. "No one consents to being sexually assaulted."
Consent Comes First (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Consent Comes First (CCF) is committed to fostering a campus where consent comes first. We work as a team to support people affected by sexual violence, including those who have directly harmed and those supporting them. We offer trainings, policy work, and education campaigns for the broader Ryerson community.
How to create consent culture (UBC)
What is sexual consent? It is when you clearly and freely agree to sexual activity.
It's crucial to get consent every time. Consent culture goes beyond just sex and applies to everyday interactions—anything from sharing a photo of someone online to asking before you give a hug. When it comes to sex, there are things you can do to ensure you get consent and contribute to safer spaces for everyone.
How We Can Contribute to Consent Culture Every Day (SFU)
In discussions about sex and sexual violence, a common topic is the importance of consent. For some of us, we may feel like we already know the basics of a comfortable, consensual sexual experience, or say, “I’m not hooking up right now, so is this even relevant to me?” To which I say, “100% Yes!” Consent is essential to sex, but it’s also essential to many other daily activities, and is practiced any time we set and respect boundaries.....

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