Take a look at previous and forthcoming events and initiatives to promote the University of Kent's sex-positive consent campaign.
Social Media and Blog Articles
We have taken a proactive approach to raising awareness on topics such as consent, sexual misconduct and the support available to students through the university, by posting regularly on social media about these topics and on our Student Services blog.
9th February 2024 – Break the Silence March – ran with Kent Union.
A loud and noisy march around campus to mark the end of the Awareness of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence week.
7th February 2024 – Empowerment Fair, ran with Kent Union.
We were joined by various support services both within and
external to the university – Rising Sun, Specialist Wellbeing Team, East Kent
Rape Crisis Centre, Metro – Get it!, Nursing Services and Kent Union Advice. This
was part of our campaign around the 2024 Awareness of Sexual Abuse and Sexual
Violence week.
The fair was aimed to help people gather information about
the different services, whilst also being able to meet people from the service.
There was also a banner-making workshop where people could
to signs in readiness for our Break the Silence march, which was ran with Give
it a Go.
8th December 2023 – Meet the Specialist Wellbeing Team, Templeman Library.
We held an event in the Templeman Library so students could
come and meet the Specialist Wellbeing Team, learn more about support
available, and also raise awareness for Report and Support.
We also had some freebies to give away. This was also part
of our awareness raising campaign for 16 days of activism against gender-based
violence.
7th December 2023 – Free Self-Defence Class
Provided
with Kent Sport. A free taster class, and a chance to learn some practical ways
to keep safe, available for an female identifying or non-binary students.
Offered as part of our awareness raising campaign for
16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
28th November 2023 and 6th December 2023, Report and Support Awareness Events, Drill Hall Library.
We held two events at the Drill Hall Library on our Medway Campus in conjunction with Canterbury Christchurch University and University of Greenwich.
It was great to meet students, tell them more about Report and Support, the process and the support we provide. Students could also take different free items relating to keeping safe and that can help to provide reassurance when out and about.
Celebrate Consent – Craft, Books and Action! - 25 November 2022
On 25 November 2022, the University of Kent launched its second sex-positive consent event: Celebrate Consent – Craft, Books and Action! It was a chance for students and staff to meet in the new Nexus space in Templeman Library for an afternoon filled with arts and crafts and opportunities to learn and discuss consent in an open and safe environment with representatives present from the Consent Campaign, Metro, Respect the No and Kent Union. Resources around consent and sex-positivity were available for individuals to take away or reflect on, such as a sex-positive booklist, bookmarks, torches, condoms, and informative leaflets.
Photographs from Celebrating Consent Day. On the left, members from Respect the No making a pledge and on the right-side, attendees take part in the arts and crafts session.
Consent, Get it: Panel Discussion - 16 November 2022
On 16 November the LSSJ division (Law, Sociology, Criminology and Journalism) lead an interesting and important panel discussion on 'Consent' with SSPSSR Academics, University of Kent Welfare staff, Respect the No and Kent Police.
Photographs from Celebrating Consent Day. On the left, Ruby Rare gives a talk on Pleasure and Consent and on the right-side, attendees take part in the creation of our community artwork.
The Human Experience Vol. II (Art Exhibition) - 20 March 2022
On 20 March the Afro-Diasporic Legal Network and the People of Colour Arts Society at Kent organised an evening of music, poetry, and visual arts to foster a sense of community amongst people, especially those from differing backgrounds. We had the opportunity to exhibit some of the great community artwork the students and staff members who attended our Celebrating Consent Day created to represent the need for a collaborative response in tackling sexual violence - a principle that stands at the heart of the University's sex-positive consent campaign.
Celebrating Consent Day - 9 February 2022
On 9 February, students and staff came together to celebrate consent for Kent's “Celebrating Consent Day”. The afternoon consisted in three different sessions where attendees had the chance to learn, discuss and reflect on sex-positivity and consent. From listening to expert’s insights and advice to collaborative crafting, the “Celebrating Consent Day” created a heart-warming, vibrant and fun atmosphere throughout.
16 Days against gender-based violence - 25 November 2021
For sixteen days, starting on the 25th November 2021, various teams and departments at the University of Kent came together to declare our university-wide commitment to tackling sexual assault and misconduct as well as increase transparency and embed a culture of consent. From the our team at the Library, Student Support and Wellbeing, College and Community Life, to our Transport team, we all worked together to display statements about consent, the behavioural expectations and range of support available at Kent around campus and on social media channels.
Here’s what people who joined have to say about “Celebrating Consent Day”.
Kent’s encouragement of an event such as the Celebrating Consent Day shows their support for their student’s wellbeing and personal engagement as well as their education."
Click below, if you want to read more of what our students had to say about their experience at our Celebrating Consent Day event.
