More than 80% of people think that we should be taught about consent in college, according to our recent Slice of Ireland survey.
This has been an ongoing debate since the UCD 200 story and has been magnified by sexual assault stories like the horrific and unjust Brock Turner case.
Some people are asking where these consent classes would fit in, who would actually go to them, or what the point would be in attending?
Those who don’t believe this type of education is necessary should consider what they learned about in orientation as first year students.
When I started my first day in college, I was nervous and naïve.
I walked into orientation and was welcomed by my students’ union. I sat there taking in everything that was said.
The speakers talked about numerous topics, one of which was a talk from a security guard about locking your bicycle properly. He showed us a video, and gave a detailed discussion about being safe with your wheels.
I don’t own a bike, I haven’t cycled since I moved to Dublin but I still sat through a talk about it because it was part of the official welcome by the college.
I knew I probably wasn’t going to cycle in Dublin, but it did me no harm to learn about keeping my bike safe.
Many people argue that they know about consent, that it is obvious and that they would never do anything without consent. But for the young men and women who aren’t entirely sure of the exact definition, it could mean the world of difference to learn about it on their first day of college.
If one or both of you “were drunk, so it wasn’t rape,” a consent talk is needed.
For every person who thinks, if two people are in a relationship “consent is automatic,” a discussion is needed.
For every person who shared a nude picture to a third party (1 in 10 of those surveyed), a discussion on consent is needed.
For every person who thinks that a short skirt means a woman must want sex, a discussion on consent is needed.
For every woman who thinks they may not have been clear enough, so it might be their fault, a discussion on consent is needed.
There is a huge call for this type of talk among students, especially when certain people continue to say they would not attend a class about consent.
If this is the case, why can’t we include such conversation in our list of important information at orientation?
If your fresher orientation involves a talk about locking your bike, they can hold a talk about consent.
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