California State University San Marcos is promoting a short video titled “Consent is Sexy” to prevent sexual assaults by students attending its campuses in San Marcos and Temecula.
The university shared the video publicly following the White House’s announcement Monday of a new federal effort to prevent sexual violence on college campuses. The campaign responds to a growing outrage at incidents at some of the nation’s most prestigious schools, including Brown University, Amherst College and Vanderbilt University .
Cal State San Marcos said its health education program is an example of best practices that universities can take to transform individual behaviors and create positive social change for a safe, healthy and inclusive university campus.
Health Educator Cathy Nguyen managed production of the video, which is shown to all incoming freshmen. The video was inspired by the Monroe County Sexual Assault Response Team in Indiana.
“The only way to be positive your partner is consenting is to check in with them along the way, listen to their responses, and act accordingly,” said Nguyen. “Ask your partner what she or he wants! And ask again if you’re not sure. Really respect their wishes. And good sex, sex you won’t regret later, is all about respect.”
In addition, Nguyen oversees the peer education program, Students Talking about Relationships and Sex, or STARS, which utilizes theater and dialogue. The STARS team of 12 to 15 students educates their peers in classrooms and at special events.
“The STARS interactive theater program initiates dialogue about interpersonal violence using improvisational theater,” said Nguyen. “These presentations focus on sexual assault, bystander intervention and relationship abuse.”
