16 Days of Everyday Consent

What are the 16 Days?

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25th (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and runs until December 10th (Human Rights Day). Also included in these 16 days is the 12 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women, which ends on December 6th, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Learn more at https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action/16-days-of-activism and https://12joursdaction.com/en/. 

2021 Goal

During the 2021/2022 school year, the Centre for Safer Sex and Sexual Violence Support has been focusing on creating a culture of everyday consent on campus. Everyday consent is about normalizing the idea of asking for consent in our day-to-day life (not just in the bedroom). It then makes it easier and more normal to ask for consent in sexual situations, and also ensures everyone is happy and comfortable with any activity you're doing. Everyday consent can be as simple as ensuring everyone is okay with a restaurant choice ahead of time, checking in if someone seems uncomfortable at a party, or asking before posting a photo of someone online. We know that when people practice everyday consent in their day-to-day life, that practice translates back to sexual situations and reduces rates of sexual violence. We hope you will join us in practicing everyday consent during the #16days and beyond!

Safer Space Reminder

Just like all our events and campaigns, our 16 Days Starts Here Campaign is designed to be a safer space where all students (and especially survivors) can feel safe and supported. Accordingly, oppressive language, attitudes, and behaviours (such as racism, sexism, ableism, or other oppressive behaviours) will not be tolerated. We believe all survivors and do everything possible to ensure our spaces are free of judgement and harm. Any posts, stories, or comments that do not meet with our safer space guidelines will be reported and/or taken down, and that person will be disqualified from the 16 Days contest. For more information about our Centre’s values and beliefs please view our policy at c3svs.ca/about-us. 

Additionally, please keep in mind the ways that stories around trauma can be difficult or triggering for some people to engage with. This campaign is largely meant to involve experiences of everyday (and mostly nonsexual) consent. We encourage the use of content warnings for discussions around and stories about personal trauma in order to create safe and accessible spaces for everyone.

Instagram Contest

Right now most of our world is online, so we want to really raise awareness about the importance of everyday consent in these online spaces. Accordingly, we’re going to be running a huge Instagram campaign over the next 16 days, and we need YOUR help. We want to spread the word about everyday consent to the wider X University community, and here’s how you can join our team:

• Creating posts with the hashtag #16startshere. Every day we’ll be having a new theme and question surrounding everyday consent (see below) and if you create an Instagram post addressing that theme or answering our question of the day you’ll get one entry to our grand draw of a $125 gift card of your choice! There are 16 days and therefore each person is eligible for up to 16 entries into the grand prize draw.
• Liking/ commenting on a @ruc3svs post during the 16 days. Over on our instagram we’ll be making a post every day and asking a question. If you like the post or comment your answer you’ll receive one entry to win one of our FIFTEEN $25 gift cards to the store of your choice. There are 16 days and therefore each person is eligible for up to 32 entries (16 for liking and 16 for commenting).
• Posting an instagram story that tags @ruc3svs and is related to the theme of the day or answers the question of the day. Every day we’ll be having a new theme and question surrounding everyday consent (see below) and if you create an Instagram story addressing that theme or answering our question of the day you’ll get one entry to win one of our fifteen $25 gift cards to the store of your choice. There are 16 days and therefore each person is eligible for up to 16 entries for creating stories.

Additionally, we are aware that questions about consent and experiences around consent may be difficult for some people. We encourage you to contact our voice or chat support line if you would like a non-judgemental and equity-focused space for support.

Theme/ Question of the Day

• November 25th: Consent begins with a ‘Yes.’ Share a time you said yes to something that you enjoyed.
• November 26th: Consent involves listening. Share a time you told someone ‘no’ without using the word ‘no.’
• November 27th: Consent includes bystander intervention. Share a time you spoke up against something that was wrong.
• November 28th: Consent involves believing others. Share a time someone supported you by believing you and listening to you.
• November 29th: Consent can only happen if everyone feels safe. Share a time someone said or did something that made you feel like it was okay to say ‘no.’
• November 30th: Consent involves respecting boundaries. Share a time someone set a boundary with you, and how it helped your relationship with that person.
• December 1st: Consent must be properly informed. Share a time when finding out more information changed whether or not you wanted to do something.
• December 2nd: Consent includes body language. Share a time someone noticed your body language and how that recognition made you feel.
• December 3rd: Consent cannot happen when one party has power over another. Share a type of relationship that involves a power dynamic, and one way someone in that dynamic might be impacted.
• December 4th: Consent is specific. Share a time you said yes to one part of someone’s request while saying no to a different part. 
• December 5th: Consent involves positive feedback. Share a time that has stuck with you where someone positively responded to something you did or said.
• December 6th: Consent is taught and learned. Share a time in your childhood where your opinion or decision was acknowledged and respected.
• December 7th: Consent is freely given. Share a time you felt pressured to do something.
• December 8th: Consent is vulnerable. Share a time when you were honest with someone and their response made you feel safe. 
• December 9th: Consent is a green flag. Share a positive experience of consent.
• December 10th: Consent is never ending. Share a time you changed your mind about something and how others responded.