Consensual Prom
A few weeks ago I shared that I was planning a campus-wide event for the college where I work. This event, Consensual Prom, is designed to educate students about consent and how to ask for it.
In order to attend the dance, students who want to ask a person to be their date must get the person’s consent following these guidelines (which, funnily enough, mirror the guidelines of asking for consent for sexual activity):
- Consent means the person voluntarily agrees to be your date. Remember the absence of “No” does not mean “Yes”!
- The person must be mentally and physically able to give their consent to be your date. The use of alcohol and/or drugs may seriously interfere with a person’s judgment and ability to give valid consent to be your date.
- Consent is only possible when there is equal power and an absence of fear, peer pressure or negative consequences for saying “No.” Consent means asking, not telling, demanding, inferring or coercing.
- Just because a person went to a dance with you before does not mean they automatically consent to be your date to this dance. You must ask every time.
I am really excited but I forgot how much work it is to plan an event for potentially ~300 people. My talented boyfriend agreed to do the design work for the invitations for free (well, for a free dinner on me) and I have a dedicated group of 6 students helping me plan this. It takes place on December 5 and boy, time is flying!
This sounds like a big undertaking Britt, but I wish you the best of luck…I hope it teaches people important lessons about consent. I will be thinking of your program when I am at my staff festivus party on the 5th!
