ConsentCon 2024 Details
ConsentCon is a conference dedicated to exploring the meaning and operationalization of consent on college campuses. Please see below for the schedule and details.
Parking for non-WFU visitors: Parking has been reserved for non-WFU visitors in Lot B. Once Lot B is full, please head to overflow parking in Lots A and Q.
Registration Check-In
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., 3rd Floor Rotunda – Benson Center
Check-in to ConsentCon to pick up a program and a ConsentCon T-shirt!
Breakfast
9:15 – 9:45 a.m., 3rd Floor Rotunda – Benson Center
The morning will begin with a breakfast bar and coffee.
ConsentCon 2024
Program
Keynote Speaker: Duane de Four – Scholar, Educator & Activist
10:00 – 10:50 a.m., Pugh Auditorium – Benson Center
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.
Relax and Reset
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Benson 301
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.
Morning Workshop Sessions
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Benson Center
Four different workshop sessions will be offered during this time in the Benson Center.
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
Benson 401A
Kayla Rudisel (Associate General Counsel & 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. By dissecting societal assumptions about sexuality, we aim to challenge stereotypes and foster a culture of critical thinking. 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. Real-world impacts are explored, illustrating how challenging assumptions can positively shape campus culture. Through empathy and understanding, Sexual Script Theory encourages a deeper appreciation for diverse narratives, paving the way to inspire change. 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.
Benson Center: Pugh Auditorium
Sam Goodman (WFU Class of ’24) & Mallory Challis (WFU Graduate Divinity Student) facilitated by Em Cheramie (Program Coordinator of 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.
Benson 401C
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 that participants will take away 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.
Benson 410
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.
Lunch
12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Benson 401B/D
Pick up a boxed lunch to go or have a seat in Benson 401B (additional seating in 401D) and enjoy lunch.
Afternoon Workshop Sessions
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Benson Center
Multiple workshop sessions will be offered during this time in Benson University Center.
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
1 – 2 p.m.
Benson 409
Ellen Fox (Director of Education Services, Triad Restorative Justice) & bink jones (Lead Consultant for Educational Implementation, Triad Restorative Justice)
This workshop will be 80% reflection and discussion, 20% teaching, so please come ready to engage! 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 the nuance of consent, how it varies from person to person, and situation to situation (hence the Rubix cube). We will explore all of these things through a restorative justice lens. Folks will reflect on boundaries, lived experiences, and hear from others, too. You will not be forced to share anything, but we always welcome others’ wisdom.
Benson 401A
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, focusing on the highly contextual nature of the crime on campus by discussing common tactics used by perpetrators, the use of technology to stalk, and the use of risk assessments in stalking cases, as well as tools to promote victim safety.
Benson 410
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.
Benson Center: Pugh Auditorium
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.
2 – 3 p.m.
Benson 410
Meredith Janay (WFU Class of ’26) & Maya Roth (WFU Class of ’27) (Sexual Health Ambassadors Group (SHAG), WFU)
Our workshop will begin by diving into what sex can look like and how pleasure can fit into the bedroom, including a fun anatomy lesson. We will go over the basics of safe sex, including barrier methods and birth control options. Then, the rest of our workshop will focus on specific ways to ask for consent through dirty talk. We will go over example conversations and have students brainstorm ways they can ask for consent. We will also cover ways to say no in the bedroom. Overall, our workshop plans to be a highly interactive, tool-building workshop for all students.
Benson Center: Pugh Auditorium
Jessica Bass (Associate Director of the Safe Office, WFU), Erin Binkley (WFU Associate Professor, Counseling), Aishah Casseus (Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator, WFU), Kristina Gupta (WFU Associate Professor, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) & Mir Yarfitz (WFU Associate Professor, History)
Aishah Casseus will begin the workshop by providing a brief presentation about faculty reporting responsibilities and other legal information applicable to faculty. Jessica Bass will offer a presentation providing faculty with suggestions for responding to student disclosures of sexual violence. Faculty panelists will use the remaining time to moderate Q&A, share some of their own work to address sexual and gender-based violence on campus, and lead attendees in a brainstorming session about how faculty can address sexual and gender-based violence in their courses and other ways that faculty can contribute to the creation of a violence-free campus.
Benson 401C
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. People are rarely given the opportunity to develop language that is comfortable to use, learn language from others and get the chance to practice asking. This session is focused on giving participants the opportunity to discuss, develop language, learn from others, and practice consent seeking (in their own words), all with the help of a fun group activity.
Benson 401A
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.
3 – 4 p.m.
Benson 401A
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.
Benson Center: Pugh Auditorium
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), WFU)
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. Q&A to follow.
Benson 410
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.
Benson 409
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.
Benson 401B
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.