Student Tribune
Take Action with the "It's On Us" Campaign - Understand the Affirmative Consent Policy
"It's On Us" is a cultural movement
aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think about sexual assault.
"It's On Us" works to educate, engage, and empower students and communities
across the country to do something, big or small, to end sexual assault.
The "It's On Us" fall week of action is October 22 - 28, 2017. Each day this
week, keep an eye out for information and ideas about what members of the MCC
community can do educate, engage, and empower one another to end sexual
assault.
UNDERSTAND THE AFFIRMATIVE CONSENT POLICY
"Enough is Enough" was signed into law in NYS in July 2015. The law requires
colleges to adopt a uniform definition of affirmative consent, defined as a
knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants to engage in
sexual activity.
MCC's Affirmative Consent Policy is below:
Affirmative Consent: Affirmative consent is a knowing, voluntary, and
mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent
can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create
clear permission regarding willingness to engage in the sexual activity.
Silence or lack of resistance, in and of itself, does not demonstrate consent.
The definition of consent does not vary based upon a participant's sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
a) Consent to any sexual act or prior consensual sexual activity between or
with any party does not necessarily constitute consent to any other sexual
act.
b) Consent is required regardless of whether the person initiating the act
is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
c) Consent may be initially given but withdrawn at any time.
d) Consent cannot be given when a person is incapacitated, which occurs
when an individual lacks the ability to knowingly choose to participate in
sexual activity. Incapacitation may be caused by the lack of consciousness or
being asleep, being involuntarily restrained, or if an individual otherwise
cannot consent. Depending on the degree of intoxication, someone who is under
the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants may be incapacitated and
therefore unable to consent.
e) Consent cannot be given when it is the result of any coercion,
intimidation, force, or threat of harm.
f) When consent is withdrawn or can no longer be given, sexual activity
must stop.
Click on the attachment to view a poster about MCC's Affirmative Consent
Policy.
To view a video about consent called, "Consent: It's as Simple as Tea,"
click here.
For more information, visit Title IX Policies for Individuals Reporting Sexual Harassment and
Misconduct.
Attached Files:
Affirmative Consent poster - 2017-2018.pdf
Lowe, Kristin
President's Office
10/20/2017