Montreal university students say consent workshops are crucial

Thousands of Montreal university students have been learning about consent this month how to give and how to obtain consent both before and during sexual activity.

Consent workshops were mandatory before many froshevents at both McGilland Concordiauniversitiesand now more extensive workshops are happening instudent residences.

Concordia is rolling out consent workshops this weekend for all 900 students atits residences it's a first for the university and the content was developed byJennifer Drummond, coordinator of the university's Sexual Assault Resource Centre.

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At McGill consent workshops are mandatory for all 3,500 first-year students in residence and they take place throughout the month of September. The workshops have been held for more than 10 years.

CBC Daybreak's Shari Okeke met up with first year students from both universities who shared some of their experiences and their opinionsabout the workshops.

'They're going to touch you'

Sophie Burt, a first-year Concordia student in anthropology and who is originally from Pennsylvania, says consent workshopsare important.

"When we go out to the clubs,guys are going tocome up and they're going totouch you and you've got to know where your limits are," Burtsaid.

Burt and her friends look out for each other and signal a thumbs up or down to indicate whether or not they need help out of a situation.

"Ithink it's worse here just becauseback home the drinking age is 21 so you don't have the experiences of going out to clubs or bars," she said."There are parties but it's just a different culture back there than it is here."

'Catcalled on the daily'

Jillian Giberson, from New Jersey, and Zoe Bernard, from Toronto, are both first-year McGill students in residence who say they're shocked by how some men have treated them in Montreal.

"Being catcalled on the daily is really de-humanizing and demoralizing and it makes you feel like you are an object," Giberson said.

After the workshop, however, Giberson was encouraged by comments made by other students including men who took part.

The men were astonished to hearhow often women deal with catcalling, saying they want to do more to prevent that and stop it when they witness it, she said.

While the workshop is a great starting point, Giberson said she would also would to see followup training and opportunities for deeper discussions about consent and the impact of sexual assault.

Clear enthusiastic 'yes'

As part of the consent campaign at Concordia,Drummond developed the content for the consent workshops, which she says focus on sexual communication and respect in relationships.

"Making sure the person is giving a clear enthusiastic 'yes,'the importance of checking in, some people will make jokes about'Do I have to get someone to sign a form saying they're consenting to this activity?' No you don't need someone to sign a form," Drummondsaid.

"Wetalk about that, say it can be a natural, even sexypart of your sex life with someone...it's an ongoing conversation making sure people areinterested,having fun and okay with what's happening."

Masayoshi Suzuki,a fine arts student at ConcordiaUniversity, is living in residence and saidit's valuable to have access to the workshops.

He said in the past consent was implied but thatcan no longer be the case.

"Now there's a formality to it. Now you need to make sure you get it and it's very important you get it," Suzukisaid.

"It's kind of stressful but I think it's for the greater good. I'm fine partaking in whatever I have to do to make sure everyone's safe."

Learning to intervene

The consent workshops also include informationabout how and when to intervene if a student notices someone might be in need of help.

Robert Gusdal, a resident assistant in his third year at ConcordiaUniversity, has had extensive consent training as well as personal experience intervening in order to help a friend.

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Gusdal saidsometimes friends discuss their intentions before a night out. One night a friend had told him she had no intention of leaving with anyone that night,but after several drinks Gusdalnoticed she was about to exitthe bar with someone so he intervened.

He reminded her of their discussion earlier and eventually convinced her she was too drunk to give her consent.

"It can be daunting and it can be kind of scary to make those decisions for someone else but the next day she sent me a message and was so so thankful that I stepped in when I did."

After attending theconsent workshop at McGillUniversity, Giberson now feels more confident that she could overcome social anxiety and intervene in the future, if necessary.

"Now if I were ever to see someone I know is in that situaiton, I don't think there's a doubt in my mind that I would do something about it solely based on the worskshop we had and what's happened to my friends."