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
Copyright ©2015 Emmeline May and Blue Seat Studios
Warning: Explicit language
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.
Ask: Building Consent Culture by 
Campuses of Consent by 
Do you have a title to recommend for our collection? Use the Suggest a Purchase form to suggest a book, video or journal.
Are you an RRC Polytech staff or student with suggestions or feedback that can help improve this guide? Please contact this guide's author on the "Getting Started" page.
