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Students Against Sexual Assault holding ‘Consent Curriculum’ workshop

Members of Western Carolina University’s faculty and staff are invited to participate in “Consent Curriculum,” a workshop sponsored by the campus organization Students Against Sexual Assault.

The workshop is being offered free today (Thursday, Nov. 21) at 6 p.m. in the Raleigh Room of A.K. Hinds University Center. No prior registration is needed, and the workshop also is open to WCU students and local community members.

SASA was founded by WCU student Tucker McGrew in 2017 after a close friend of his was sexually assaulted. The organization has three main focus areas – education, activism and outreach. “A large part of what we do is create programs that will help educate the student body on what consent is, what sexual assault looks like, and what they should be expecting from their college in a situation where they have been sexually assaulted,” said McGrew, who serves as SASA’s president.

The group seeks out events around campus to collaborate with other student organizations to raise awareness of sexual assault. Members also partner with REACH of Jackson County for some activities, one of which was a “Take Back the Night” event held on campus Nov. 7.

McGrew said one of the main things he wants survivors of sexual assault to take away from events such as “Take Back the Night” is the knowledge that there is a community for them. He said he believes sexual assault survivors are left isolated and it’s important for them to know they are not alone.

Topics to be addressed at the Consent Curriculum workshop include collegiate assault statistics, the media’s portrayal of consent and how to ask for consent, McGrew said. Participants also will have an opportunity, if they choose, to take part in an exercise during which they will discuss consent. A portion of the workshop will entail participants’ use of their cell phone or laptop.

The workshop will be led by SASA’s presentation team, which includes McGrew and several other members of the organization.

For more information about SASA, contact McGrew at tjmcgrew1@catamount.wcu.edu.

Some information provided by Maddie Stagnaro.

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