Sudbury post-secondary students talk about consent
Three post-secondary schools in Sudbury have released a video to raise awareness about the importance of consent.
Students joined with Greater Sudbury Police and Sudbury & Area Victim Services to make and produce the educational video that they hope will help students understand it's OK to say "yes," but it's also OK to say "no" when it comes to sex.
The video was a student-led initiative by students, for students.
"I really do hope this video makes a difference," said Avery Morin, the president of the L.U. Student General Association.
"I think that it is a shame that sexual violence is an underreported crime and it should be talked about more. There is a huge stigma around it and I hope this video can educate."
Students from Laurentian University, College Boreal and Cambrian College took part.
"Consent to me means being safe and having the ability to say 'no,'" said Thomas Breuls, a Cambrian College student.
"Where you don't actually have to feel pressure to say 'yes.'"
In the lead-up to shooting the video, students took part in focus groups asking questions around consent and what it means.
"It is important because you can't exercise consent if you don't know what it means," said Stephanie Harris, who works in the equity, diversity and human rights office at Laurentian University.
"People have a very nuanced understanding of what consent means. So being clear about what it means, telling people exactly what it means just helps them make a better decision in a relationship."
The video was also a collaboration with Greater Sudbury Police and Sudbury and Area Victim Services.
"It really is about individuals respecting each other understanding boundaries making sure you are moving forward together. And then the legality of consent and that you are breaking the law if you don't have consent," said Chief Paul Pedersen, of the Greater Sudbury Police Service.
The video was funded by the Ontario government through the Proceeds of Crime Front-line Policing Grant.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.