ConsentCon 2024 Program

FEBRUARY 16, 2024, 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.

ConsentCon is a conference dedicated to exploring the meaning and operationalization of consent on college campuses. ConsentCon will engage students, faculty and staff in a community conversation about consent in pursuit of a campus free of interpersonal violence. The conference will include special workshops for both students and faculty/staff as well as a keynote session with Duane de Four, scholar, educator, and activist.

RELAX AND RESET | BENSON 301 Safe Office Advocates Alexus Amaker & Athena Torres

Benson 301 is available throughout the duration of ConsentCon 2024 as an unstructured break space with coloring, fidgets, snacks, and other regulation tools for our ConsentCon attendees who may need a moment to engage in self-care throughout a day of meaningful and important, but possibly challenging conversations. The Relax and Reset space is supported by the Safe Office of Wake Forest University, which provides response, advocacy, and counseling for individuals who have experienced concerns related to interpersonal violence.

Please use this room as you need, be respectful of others in the space, and take care of yourself. If you find you need further assistance, please call 336.758.5285 to access a Safe Office Counselor/Advocate.

FEATURED SPEAKERS Duane de Four Scholar-educator, Duane de Four, brings more than twenty-five years of experience facilitating workshops and developing curricula, strategic initiatives and policies focused on a variety of intersecting social justice issues (such as gender violence prevention, anti-racism, sexual health, etc.).

Jayda Shuavarnnasri Jayda Shuavarnnasri aka “Sex Positive Asian Auntie” is a Queer Southeast Asian sexuality and relationship educator. She works to liberate folks from sexual shame by creating space for authentic conversations about sexuality, relationships, identity, and healing. She is also the co-producer of the “Don’t Say Sorry” podcast which centers the experiences of Southeast Asian women navigating relationships, mental health, and sexuality. Jayda holds a Master’s degree from the University of San Diego and is a certified sexual health educator and rape crisis counselor. You can find her on instagram @jayda_kissed.

SESSIONS You are welcome to attend any session. As indicated in their descriptions, some sessions are focused on students, and others are geared toward faculty and staff. Be mindful of that when choosing which session to attend. ^ = students * = faculty/staff 10 a.m. | Pugh Auditorium

Keynote Speaker: Duane de Four - Scholar, Educator & Activist^* Head football coach Dave Clawson will introduce our keynote speaker, Duane de Four

This keynote will explore the meaning of consent beyond policy and focus on cultural messages around sex, consent and how we can shift those messages to make consent seeking a comfortable, everyday norm.

11 a.m. | Benson 401A

Rewriting the Rules: Challenging Assumptions with Sexual Script Theory^ Kayla Rudisel (Associate General Counsel and Title IX Coordinator, WSSU) & Nikki Heyliger Dawkins (Clery Compliance Coordinator, WSSU)

In the presentation “Rewriting the Rules: Challenging Assumptions with Sexual Script Theory,” we delve into a journey of critical exploration and empowerment. Sexual Script Theory becomes a tool to promote inclusivity, acknowledging diverse perspectives and empowering individuals to make informed decisions. The discussion extends to addressing the pivotal role of consent, emphasizing healthy communication within intimate relationships. The ultimate goal is to instill a commitment to rewriting outdated norms and cultivating a college culture that values respect, consent, and inclusivity in relationships and intimacy.

11:00 a.m. | Pugh Auditorium

Student Lightning Talks on Consent^* Sam Goodman (WFU Class of ‘24) & Mallory Challis (WFU Divinity Graduate Student), facilitated by Em Cheramie (Program Coordinator of the LGBTQ+ Center, WFU)

On this panel, student researchers from multiple triad institutions of higher education will share research-informed perspectives on campus climates and consent.

SESSIONS 11:00 a.m. | Benson 401C

Consent in Color^ Jessica Bass (Associate Director of the Safe Office, WFU)

This workshop will use watercolor with a wet-on-wet technique along with small group processing to explore personal understanding, interpretation, and experiences of how participants sit in their own understanding of consent and how it isn’t always black and white, especially in practice. Participants will have the ability to create their own art piece with guidance from Nationally Board Certified Art Therapist Jessica Bass, LCMHCS, ATR-BC, NCC. This art piece will then provide the base for small group discussion, and finally a group share out of insights gained through this workshop. The hope of this workshop is a more externalized understanding of their own views of this complicated issue and a starting point for further conversations with their own community around this topic.

11:00 a.m. | Benson 410

Sex and Substances^ Hannah Dean (Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator, WFU) & Miosha Johnson (Area Coordinator, WSSU)

This 50-minute workshop will be centered around consent and substances. When talking with students about consent, the conversation quickly gets blurry when alcohol or drugs are involved.

This workshop will focus on consent under the influence, the gray area, and how we navigate the waters. Students will discuss scenarios and have the opportunity to ask questions so that they are able to understand the concept of consent more clearly.

12:00 p.m. | Benson 401B/D

Lunch

Pick up a boxed lunch to go or have a seat in Benson 401B (401D for additional seating) and enjoy lunch.

SESSIONS 1 p.m. | Benson 409

A Rubix Cube of Harm: Exploring Consent through a Restorative Justice Lens^* Ellen Fox (Director of Education Services, Triad Restorative Justice) & bink jones (Lead Consultant for Educational Implementation, Triad Restorative Justice)

We will introduce a spectrum of harm we use with young people that ranges from “pinches,” to “ouches,” to capital-H harm. The spectrum uses approachable language to navigate consent, how it varies from person to person, and situation to situation (hence the Rubix cube).

1 p.m. | Benson 401A

Recognizing and Responding to Stalking on Campus* Natalie Ivey (Training & Criminal Justice Specialist for the Stalking, Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center [SPARC])

Stalking is a prevalent, dangerous, and often misunderstood crime that presents in unique ways on college campuses. This workshop explores the dynamics of stalking, discussing common tactics used by perpetrators and tools to promote victim safety.

1 p.m. | Benson 410

Student Lightning Talks on Consent^* Nile Whiteman (UNC Greensboro Class of ’24), Naisha Wiggins (UNC Greensboro Class of ’24) & Quaneisha Payne (UNC Greensboro Graduate Public Health Student), facilitated by Deb Marke (Assistant Director, Office of Civic & Community Engagement, WFU)

On this panel, student researchers from multiple triad institutions of higher education will share research-informed perspectives on campus climates and consent.

1 p.m. | Pugh Auditorium

Healthy Relationships^* Katie Whitley (Staff Counselor/Psychologist of Counseling Center, WFU)

From friendships to romantic relationships, learn more about red and green flags to look for, healthy forms of communication, and many ways to set boundaries.

SESSIONS 2 p.m. | Benson 410

Talk Dirty to Me: Sex Ed 101^ Meredith Janay (WFU ’26) & Maya Roth (WFU ’27), Sexual Health Ambassadors Group (SHAG)

Our workshop will dive into what sex can look like and how pleasure can fit into the bedroom, including a fun anatomy lesson. We will discuss the basics of safe sex, including barrier methods and birth control options. Lastly, we will focus on specific ways to ask for consent through dirty talk.

2 p.m. | Pugh Auditorium

Faculty Responses to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence* Jessica Bass (Associate Director of the Safe Office, WFU), Erin Binkley (Associate Professor, Counseling, WFU), Aishah Casseus (Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator, WFU), Kristina Gupta (Associate Professor, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, WFU) & Mir Yarfitz (Associate Professor, History, WFU)

Aishah Casseus will discuss faculty reporting responsibilities and other legal information applicable to faculty. Jessica Bass will provide faculty with suggestions for responding to student disclosures of sexual violence. Faculty panelists will use the remaining time to moderate Q&A and lead attendees in a brainstorming session.

2 p.m. | Benson 401C

Ask. Listen. Respect. #Consent^ Duane de Four (Scholar, Educator & Activist)

When discussing consent, educators encourage people to talk and ask for consent, while also assuming that everyone knows how to and/or feels confident in doing so. This session is focused on giving participants the opportunity to discuss and practice consent seeking (in their own words).

2 p.m. | Benson 401A

Sensuality as a Birthright^ Jayda Shuavarnnasri (Sex & Relationship Educator)

Sensuality is distinct from sexuality. This workshop teaches participants about the impact of daily sensual practices as a tool for healing shame and trauma. Participants are guided through playful sensuality activities that help connect them back to their most natural instincts.

SESSIONS 3 p.m. | Benson 401A

Consent on the Spectrum^* Monique Gore (Director of Diversity & Inclusion, WFU) & Justin-Ray Dutton (CARE Coordinator of Dean of Students, WFU)

This presentation seeks to expand the conversation about consent to those on the autism spectrum and other neurodivergent identities that impact communication. We will explore consent through the lens of neurodivergence thought and how we can be more inclusive in our approach around the topic of both.

3 p.m. | Pugh Auditorium

Value of Student Involvement in Interpersonal Violence Prevention^ Taylor McCabe (WFU Class of ’24), Austin Torain (WFU Class of ’24), Joe Wyche (WFU Class of ’24), Alice Weir (WFU Class of ’27) & Xen Woods (WFU Class of ’27), Advocacy Leaders in Interpersonal Violence Education (ALIVE)

Panelists will discuss their own journeys in peer education spanning from high school to college. They will discuss the importance of student leadership in interpersonal violence prevention work along with discussing motivations behind creating student groups on campus such as ALIVE and how to get involved in any capacity.

3 p.m. | Benson 410

Making Things Right: An Introduction to Restorative Justice^* Ellen Fox (Director of Education Services, Triad Restorative Justice) & bink jones (Lead Consultant for Educational Implementation, Triad Restorative Justice)

When people hurt us, we often want two things: healing and accountability. Come learn about the basic concepts of restorative justice – a field that shifts away from punishment and seeks to create justice through understanding and restitution. We’ll tie in our talk to how modern-day concepts like cancel culture, ghosting, and consent are seen through a restorative justice lens.

SESSIONS 3 p.m. | Benson 409

Internalized Taboos: Pleasure and Female Orgasm^* Debra Seltzer LeWinter (UNC Graduate Social Work Student & Counseling and Wellness Graduate Intern, Guilford College)

We will engage in a set of group activities to identify cultural, societal, and familial messages that cause shame, impede communication, and reduce pleasure during adult consensual experiences. The session will focus on identifying taboos and internalized messages without requiring individuals to share personal experiences.

3 p.m. | Benson 401B

The Sexy Kind of Data: Data Dive on WFU Student’s Sexual Health Behaviors* Marian Trattner (Assistant Director of Office of Wellbeing, WFU) & Em Cheramie (Program Coordinator of LGBTQ+ Center, WFU)

This session will provide an overview of our students’ sexual health behavior and STI/STD rates using data collected from students on campus through a bi-annual survey from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment and Sexual Health Services Survey. The talk will tie the importance of using data to inform a comprehensive public health approach to address and promote consent on our campus.

Sponsors: Student Activity Fee Shaw Family

ConsentCon Committee Members: Abigail Brumfield, Addie Folk, Aishah Casseus, Deb Marke, Dwight Lewis, Em Cheramie, Erinn Forbes, Gretchen Castelloe, Hannah Dean, Jessica Bass, Jessica Telligman, Julia Jordan-Zachery, Kim Caprio, Liz Orr, Marian Trattner, Monique Gore, Olivia Bray, Peter Rives, Shelley Sizemore, Warranetta Mann

Special Thanks: ConsentCon volunteers and presenters, Office of Institutional Equity, Division of Campus Life, Harvest Table, Women’s Center, Coach Dave Clawson, Shana Atkins, Mary Dunlop, Student Government, Debbie Mason, Samantha Briggs, Schuyler Bordeau, Cate Pitterle, Benson Center staff