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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      c) Consent may be initially given but withdrawn at any time.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        f) When consent is withdrawn or can no longer be given, sexual activity must stop.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