Students participated in a 3 corners Activity. They were given the options to choose:"AGREE", "NOT SURE", and "DISAGREE" for the following statements:
1. Grade 7 is the right age to start dating.
2. If someone doesn't like you, there are things you can do to make them change their mind and you should persist until they feel the same way.
3. Family values influence how you think about sexual activity.
4. A person should not have sex if their partner is unsure.
5. Oral-genital contact is not "having sex".
6. If someone agrees to engage in sexual activity, but passes out, it is OK to still engage in sexual activity with them.
7. Religious beliefs should influence how you think about sexual activity.
8. People don't need a vaccination for HPV if they are not sexually active.
9. Some types of sexual activity have more risks than other types.
10. People of all gender identities and sexual orientations need to learn how to stay safe and healthy in relationships.
As part of this unit, students were given the following defiinitions.
Abstinence: a conscious decision to refrain from a behaviour or activity
Sexual Activity: Any voluntary sexual behavior including but not limited to kising, massages or touching, oral sex and anal or vaginal intercourse
Sexual Consent: Sexual consent is defined in Canada's Criminal Code in s. 273.1 (1) as the voluntary agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question. Consent means partners agree to the sexual activity; everyone understands what they are engaging to; and all parties affirmatively communicate their enthusiasm, whether through words or conduct. Silence or passivity does not equal consent.
Oral Sex: Using one's mouth on another person's genitals or anus for sexual pleasure.
Vaginal Intercourse: Penetration of another person's vagina.
Anal Intercourse: Penetration of another person's anus.
Students have discussed the following questions. They rolled dice in groups to choose and take notes on their discussions.
1. What is consent? Why is consent important?
2. How is consent communicated? Why does it need to be ongoing (not just once)?
3. What does ongoing consent really mean? What does it look like?
4. Why is communication with a partner important? What are ways to show respect for consent?
5. What does healthy communication look, feel and sound like?
6. What are ways to say no? What visual / auditory clues help you recognize that someone is saying no?
