By Amir Khoddami
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November 10, 2004
The University Sexual Assault Board, along with the Parents Program and other student organizations held one of two presentations last night in the Newcomb Art Gallery as part of a three-week Consent Campaign.
"The campaign is aimed at raising the level of awareness in the University community about how often consent is not clear in intimate relationships and to educate individuals on how to be sure that it is present," Sexual Assault Board Chair Shamim Sisson said.
In order to publicize the campaign, a planning committee was formed to get out the word by distributing materials such as flyers, brochures and bookmarks, as well as getting interest from students.
Last night's presentation was given by Katrina Salmons, president of the Sexual Assault Facts and Education Organization, along with Sloane Kuney, coordinator of the Sexual Assault Leadership Council.
"The posters will give you the basic info about what consent is and how to ask for it, the presentations explore more fully the grey areas," Salmons said.
In the presentation, Salmons and Kuney further presented consent guidelines, answered student inquiries, and facilitated discussion among the audience.
They ended the presentation by encouraging those in attendance to continue to discuss and voice issues of consent and sexual assault with other members of the community.
"Silence is a huge enemy to anyone suffering any kind of violence, especially sexual," Kuney said.
The idea for the campaign began when Alan Berkowitz, an independent consultant and activist, met with the Sexual Assault Board.