Hand-made buttons made by University of Windsor students to promote consensual sexual activity this St. Patrick's Day, March 16, 2017. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)Hand-made buttons made by University of Windsor students to promote consensual sexual activity this St. Patrick's Day, March 16, 2017. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Windsor

Student Campaign Aims To Prevent Sexual Violence

Keep it consensual is the message being delivered at the University of Windsor this St. Patrick's Day.

Dusty Johnstone, a sexual misconduct response and prevention officer at the school, and a team of students have been promoting the theme by making buttons and handing out treats to students this week.

"We know that people use St. Patrick's Day as a day to blow off steam, and a lot of people drink [alcohol]," explains Johnstone. "We want to acknowledge that for what it is, but try to encourage that people be really safe about it."

She says people tend to pay less attention to what others want when they're intoxicated.

"Sometimes some people become more aggressive," adds Johnstone. "We really want to encourage people, if they're going to be initiating sexual activity, to be really mindful of whether or not the other person involved is in an okay place to actually consent."

Johnstone has been pleased by a positive response to the Keep It Consensual campaign on campus this week, and hopes to see their buttons and stickers all over Windsor-Essex this holiday.

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