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CONSENT

In Focus

"See more clearly when you are informed"

Consent is defined as an affirmative word or action creating permission that is mutually understood, and which is voluntary and given in discrete units. The #MeToo movement serves as an example of how people have suffered due to their lack of consent, creating potentially dangerous and traumatizing experiences. Below you will find key terms, statistics, and other useful tools to understand and talk about consent. If you would like to know more, consider coming to an IYC event. Our next one can be found below in the section labeled Our Events. We host them virtually, on a wide range of topics, discussing policy, civics, and current events. 

Key Terms You Should Know

Consent:

Affirmative word/action creating permission that is mutually understood; voluntary & given in discrete units.

Medical Chaperone:

A trained professional, unlicensed staff member, or impartial observer, usually the same sex as the patient, who accompanies a patient during a medical procedure.

Sexual Violence:

Attempted or threatened violence that is sexual in nature; includes: rape, sexual abuse & harassment, exploitation, molestation, forced prostitution, human trafficking, SGBV, date rape, female circumcision, honor killings, marriage of a child, & other forced marriages; violence can be physical, emotional, or psychological; can involve socio-economic deprivation.

Victim-blaming:

Implicitly or explicitly attributing fault to the victims themselves for the harmful or abusive behavior they experienced (e.g., slut shaming).

Me Too Movement:

Founded by Tarana Burke to support sexual violence survivors, especially low-wealth people of color, and advocate for related legislation and policy.

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Moments In History

1200–165 BC - Written in this time, the Old Testament includes various mentions of rape.

1972 - Title IX expands Sexual Harassment protections.

2021 - 97% (of women are victims of sexual harassment) TikTok trend viral worldwide

1662 - Royal Colony of Virginia creates a hereditary slavery law.

2002 - Sexual Abuse within the Catholic Church investigated by the Boston Globe.

Statistics

80 workplace anti-harassment bills passed in 24 states & DC since the Alyssa Milano’s 2017 #MeToo related Tweet, according to a 2023 report by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC).

10 million reported in 2016 having been victims of nonconsensual pornography, aka revenge porn, according to a 2016 report from the Center for Innovative Public Health Research.

According to a 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Defense, 4% Male and 21% Female
U.S. Military Cadets & Midshipman reported unwanted sexual contact.

10 states treat marital rape differently than non-marital rape: 
CT, ID, MI, MS, NV, OH, OK, RI, SC, VA, according to World Population Review.

Incidents of sexual violence:
1/2 of transgender people  
experience sexual abuse/assault in their lifetime.

1/3 of women globally 
experience intimate partner violence/sexual violence.

1/10 of elderly people 
experience abuse/sexual abuse in a year,

according to statistics from Me Too.

Values

Vulnerability

'Holding Space'

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Open communication

Respecting Boundaries

'Enthusiastic Consent'

Notable Names

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Jerry Trainor

Anita Hill

Fatima Goss Graves

Teddy Crews

Sandra Lee

Symbols

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Our Events

Past

Future

Further Resources

Consent Infographic

Share what you have learned about consent. Our Infographic has been designed to be shared easily by printing, emailing, or posting on social media. Click on the image to view or download the PDF File. (Not for commercial use.)

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Much-To-Discuss Event Video

Our networking event was insightful and fun! Consent-related Scavenger Hunt and Trivia drive this informative event. Attendees gain insight about consent, while also getting to know and share their own knowledge with peers. You can also make an event out of it yourself by hosting your own Much To Discuss Watch: Consent Discussion Party. Feel free to share this video with others! (Not for commercial use)

Take Action

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Educate others about consent related topics including but not limited to: don’t force kids to give people hugs; have conversations about understanding and giving consent; learn & teach others the “help” signs such as ordering an "Angel Shot" (aka- call me an uber) & an "Angel shot with a lemon" (aka- I am in danger).

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Watch videos to learn more about consent and its importance like Tea Consent and Quiet On Set.

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Purchase & tell friends about devices that help protect against/warn about ‘date rape drugs’, typically odorless & colorless, such as Nightcap drink covers & CYD drink spike tests.

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Show solidarity w/ sexual violence survivors & advocate for prevention (e.g., ‘Take Back the Night’ events).

Friends sitting together

Share our Consent Infographic with friends, family, and anyone and everyone you think would appreciate becoming more informed!

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Inform Your Community, EIN 84-4907262, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As with all non-profits, your donation matters. Our programs rely on your support. Please Donate today.

 

Inform Your Community acknowledges that the land on which our headquarters resides was the territory of the Lenape. We offer our sincerest respect and gratitude for their stewardship of this land which helped shape Lower Manhattan. 

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