By Julia Smith, General Member
Consent Awareness Week is observed annually beginning on the third Monday of September. Consent means giving someone a choice about touch or actions and respecting their answer. Silence should not be interpreted as consent; consent can be revoked. Only 28 percent of Canadians fully understand the meaning of consent, making consent awareness week a crucial week, mainly due to the rise in high-profile sexual assault cases in the media, sports teams, and student walkouts in response to sexual assaults on post-secondary campuses. The week is an annual reminder that Canadians have the right to feel safe and respected where they live, work, study and play.
The effects of not understanding consent are far-reaching. Each year, there are approximately 636,000 cases of self-reported sexual assault in Canada; 41 percent were self-reported by students at post-secondary institutions. The first six weeks of post-secondary education are designated the “red zone” when there is a significant increase in sexual violence at post-secondary schools. The week invites all Ontarians, not just university-age students, to have thoughtful, affirming, and open, age-appropriate conversations about consent. The week also proves to be an opportunity for individuals to explore and reflect upon valuable life skills related to consent, such as active listening, body language reading, and respecting boundaries in all types of relationships.
Ontario is the first province in Canada to recognize and adopt Consent Awareness Week due to the adoption of Bill 18, which was first enacted in 2022. The bill emphasizes “consent culture,” changing the narrative of sex to be centred on mutual consent. Consent culture does not force anyone into anything; it respects bodily autonomy and is based on the belief that people can only judge their own needs. Consent culture comes into play when discussing section 273 of the Criminal Code relating to sexual assault.
Section 273.1: Sexual assault occurs if a person is touched in any way that interferes with their sexual integrity.` This includes kissing, touching, intercourse and any other sexual activity without their consent.
Greater understanding that lack of consent is not only morally wrong it is a severe criminal offence charged by law.
Consent Awareness Week is a crucial annual event to promote a deeper understanding of consent, foster respectful behaviour, and address the pressing issue of sexual misconduct. It stresses the importance of informed choices, open dialogue, and the right to safety and respect for all individuals in every facet of their lives. By engaging in educational activities and promoting conversations this week, society is closer to building a culture of consent, accountability, and empathy.
What you can do to help fight for consent awareness:
Share resources on social media
Educate those around you
Educate yourself to further your understanding
Never stop learning
Sign a petition to enact consent awareness week in your province/territory
Useful resources:
Action Now Atlantic - Action Now Atlantic is a campaign to end sexual and gender-based violence at universities in Atlantic Canada through education, advocacy, and community engagement. https://www.actionnowatlantic.ca/
The Bill Outlining Consent Awareness Week: https://www.ola.org/sites/default/files/node-files/bill/document/pdf/2022/2022-09/b018_e
5 Things You Can Do For Consent Awareness Week: https://www.couragetoact.ca/blog/caw2023
Sexual assault + Misconduct Definition https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/benefits-military/conflict-misconduc
Toronto Star: Universities Need Consent Awareness Week https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/universities-need-consent-awareness-week-in-ontario/article_314662fd-7f53-5cd4-81e6-67d058e3aefb.html