CONSENT ON CAMPUS: College, university bring messaging home during ‘red zone’
Researchers say two-thirds of sexual assaults on campus occur during first 8 weeks
Heading off to university or college is a major milestone in the lives of many young Canadians. Those first few weeks are spent meeting new classmates, navigating a new campus, socializing and adjusting to a new learning environment.
In certain circles, those first few weeks are well known for another reason. Dubbed the “red zone” by some post-secondary institutions, it’s a time when researchers say sexual violence spikes on campuses across the country. It’s reported that twothirds of sexual assaults on campus occur during those first eight weeks.
“We know there is a heightened risk for students during those weeks,” said Lianne Gagnon, director of student services at Niagara College.
The college has responded by launching its Consent is Key campaign. Keys hang from the ceilings of both the Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland campuses of the college, posters hang in the washrooms and hallways as well — all promoting the Consent is Key website.
“Two years ago, we joined other colleges in launching a standalone policy on sexual assault and sexual violence,” said Gagnon, adding they created a corresponding policy to go along with their consent campaign. “We wanted to be a responsive college and we felt this campaign was an important piece of that.”
The campaign centres on a website, niagaracollege.ca/consentiskey, where students can find myths and facts about sexual assault, answers to common questions around the topic, and more importantly, it’s a place where they can report an assault, file a complaint, or report witnessing an assault, all with the click of a button.
“People are using the website,” said Gagnon. “We know this because it results in us being contacted — when they have questions, when they have complaints, we get the message.”
A corresponding Consent is Key video was created last fall, featuring students, a college counsellor, and the student administrative council president. It was shown during orientation week events on campus, and in residences, as well as shared with staff at the school.
Information materials were also distributed throughout orientation week, in swag bags for those living in residence, through information tables set up on campus and at special events.
“This is important, we need to address it at the beginning of the school year because it’s a critical time,” said Gagnon.
Like other university campuses across Ontario, Brock University has incorporated events that focus on sexual wellness, healthy relationships and consent into its Welcome Week programming.
Zero Shades of Grey, for example, tackled consent and how it is the basis for any healthy relationship, while condom poker and dirty bingo promoted sexual health and wellness.
“We’re happy to see hundreds of students attending these events,” said Bradley Clarke, director of student life and community experience at Brock University. “They’re having fun but also getting to hear these important messages.”
The Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre has its peer educators set up interactive educational booths at Welcome Week events as well, with a focus on a variety of student wellness topics, which includes sexual health and consent.
Clarke said Residence Life staff are also trained to be upstanders on campus. Developed through Western University, the upstander training teaches students to speak-out or intervene in a situation where another person may be vulnerable, such as incidents of sexual harassment, assault, bullying, or hazing.
“Welcome Week volunteers and student athletes are also challenged to be upstanders and look out for their fellow Badgers,” said Clarke, adding the training is made available to the broader student body throughout the year.
Safer sex and sexual violence is also discussed in the third and fourth weeks of September through Brock Residence’s Let’s Talk About Sex nights held in conjunction with the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre.
“It’s all about bringing these topics to the forefront,” said Clarke, adding they know the start of a new term is a time when they know many students are out there trying new things so they want to ensure this messaging is a part of that.
Brock University’s Human Rights Task Force had identified a number of recommendations regarding sexual violence on campus and Clarke said they’re working to build those into their programming.
Independent from the university itself, the Brock Student Sexual Violence Support Centre provides support for survivors of sexual violence and runs educational campaigns geared to students that seek to prevent sexual violence.
“We are independent from Brock to ensure that we are able to provide impartial and effective support to students,” said Ellie Donohue-Miller, support services co-ordinator. “In the event that there is ever a conflict of interest between Brock and one of its students who has experienced sexual violence, it is our job to advocate for the student.”
During Welcome Week, the centre was able to distribute educational materials to all 2,700 first-year students moving into residences on topics relating to healthy relationships and the importance of consent.
“Beyond our regular public education — doing workshops and presentations for groups of students and faculty — we are also planning to launch a series of educational bus ads on routes popular with students to encourage them to think about how they might contribute to ending sexual violence,” said Donohue-Miller.
A report released by Statistics Canada last year revealed 41 per cent of all incidents of sexual assaults in 2014 were reported by students. The same report showed nearly half, 47 per cent, of all self-reported sexual assaults in Canada were committed against women aged 15 to 24.
Cheri Huys said those statistics illustrate why it’s important to get the messaging out about sexual violence and consent.
“Given that we know the first couple of months in college and university tend to be the highest risk times for a sexual assault to occur, now is the time to talk about this,” said the volunteer co-ordinator with Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre.
Consent, she said, isn’t that complicated. It can come in many forms. It can be verbal or nonverbal, and people need to pay attention.
“If they’re unsure, they need to ask and use their voice,” she said. “We have to start talking about these things so people understand what consent is and that if they don’t have it, they don’t continue. You can be half way through, and change your mind — people can change their mind at any point.”
The sexual assault centre brings this message forward through its public outreach sessions, which includes talks at local schools, with sports organizations and more. It’s a message Huys said needs to be reiterated often.
“I would say to any person out there, if there are any blurred lines, don’t continue. Stop to check that you have enthusiastic consent and if they can’t answer you or don’t understand the question, don’t continue.”
In addition to its public outreach, the Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre operates a 24-hour crisis line, provides emergency response, and offers counselling services and support groups to victims of sexual assault. For more information on its services, visit niagarasexualassaultcentre.com.
We have to start talking about these things so people understand what consent is...”
CHERI HUYS
Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre