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The “got consent?” sign was swiped … again
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People try to argue with the definition of consent. I’ve heard men and women say, "I can’t have sex without being drunk." Well then, in my opinion, you shouldn’t be doing it.
But this isn’t about what people are saying, it’s about what they’re doing. Boise State University Women’s Center and BSU Housing are working together this year to promote the Consent Campaign in response to the most common violent crime on college campuses: sexual violence.
They’ve created flyers, pamphlets, workshops and even a theater troupe to educate students on the definitions of sexual assault, health and safety guidelines, and to help victims.
Last year, they created a "got consent?" banner in effort to spread the word. According to Adriane Bang, the violence awareness and response coordinator at the Women’s Center, the banner "went missing" shortly after it was hung on the SUB kiosk. This semester, Housing, the Women’s Center and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities collaborated together to create a new banner, which went missing within the week it was put up.
"We’re curious about the campus culture in which this happens, what is the impact, and why would someone do this and who," Bang said.
According to Wanda Viento, director of the Women’s Center, it is hard to say.
"My first response is resistance," Viento said. "As you see by some of the horrible comments written on the posters we’ve had around, men are angry about being told that they need to have women’s consent," Viento said.
The comments, Viento notes, have been about men’s "entitlement" to women’s bodies. I have seen the comments. They’re enraging! Students, men and women alike, think it is humorous to joke about sexual assault and rape as if it’s a game.
I’m sorry, since when was the mutilation of a woman’s body a game? Because that’s what rape is: mutilation.
The sick actuality is it’s acceptable in today’s society. Look at our commercials, advertisements, or even health and welfare ads. Commercials telling women and girls not to drink alcohol so they won’t get raped? I didn’t know it was the woman’s fault when a man couldn’t keep his zipper up.
Our campus is trying to educate and unlearn society’s product of self destruction and illusion. And society’s product is proving futile as they shove the scars, the burns and bruises of our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends out of their minds.
But why? Why are people so afraid to know about what can save them from being called a rapist or possible victim? Again I keep thinking about the fear we hold in ourselves that ends up destroying us. We’d disrespect those who try to help us with education and resources rather than try to acknowledge and unlearn our old way.
Jessica Henderson works for the Women’s Center. The opinions expressed in this article are her own and are not a statement made on behalf of the Women’s Center.
JESSICA HENDERSON
ARBITER JOURNALIST
