Affirmative Consent

On October 17, 2016 four mattresses were arranged on Risman Plaza by the Consent Campaign where students walk between different sides of campus. On the mattress pile were two large signs reading “You didn’t tell us to put these mattresses here, but you didn’t say not to. Silence does not equal consent.”

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On the sides of the mattresses were two other signs, one with a “recipe for sex” that included “a willing partner, miscellaneous accessories, and clear consent.” The mattresses demonstrated how just because there is a lack of objection to an action doesn’t mean that it was asked for. Passing students took photos of the demonstration, and it was retweeted over 1,000 times.  

 

Lesson learned: when you want to send a message, make it so weird it cannot be ignored.