By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Committee working to create consent culture at U of L

Oct 25, 2016 | 11:50 AM

LETHBRIDGE — Consent isn’t optional. That’s the message organizers are trying to get across at the University of Lethbridge, as they spark conversations during Preventing Sexual Violence Awareness Week.

The Preventing Sexual Violence Action Committee has been trying to get direct the discussions through art, video, coffee, and other activities this week aimed at drawing crowds. Committee member Callista Chasse is starting to see the message get across.

“Across the country there’s a lot of discussion about this, a lot of prevention effort, and just generally a lot better awareness,” she said, pointing to the “I Believe You” campaign that began on campus earlier this year.

“Education about consent is important from a very early age. but we have a large population of young adults on campus who might be receiving this information for the first time, or it’s just a good reminder for them that if they’re choosing to engage in any sort of sexual activity, that consent is 100 per cent necessary,” she explained.

Consent is the focus this week, though she says it is a small part of a much broader effort aimed at eliminating sexual violence. Chasse says they’re targeting everyone with this effort, and not necessarily men in particular.

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“Certainly sexual violence is a gendered issue and it’s important that people of all genders understand consent,” she said. “We do hope to undertake some other education on campus that’s a little more targeted.”
 
Events include a workshop on healthy relationships Wednesday Oct. 26 and on violence and consent with the YWCA’s Amethyst project Friday Oct. 28.