Welcome

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Introduction

So what is this course all about? Play the animation below to find out more. Then read on for more information.

This course is for you if:

You are, or ever have been, dating or in a relationship
You want to be dating or in a relationship one day
You are interested in having casual sex or 'hook ups'
You have friends or relatives who are dating or in relationships
You are married or in a long-term relationship
None of the above.

Sex is not for everyone, but everyone can benefit from learning about consent. It is important for everyone to understand consent so that we can look out for each other and live in safer, happier communities.

Content warning

This course covers some sensitive topics, which will be discussed explicitly. These topics include:

Sex and sexual acts
Sexual assault
Rape
Emotional, verbal and physical abuse.

The course does not include explicit graphics or images, but it does include hypothetical scenarios exploring what consent and lack of consent can look like.

If you are affected by any of the topics discussed in the course, please refer to the 'Support' pods on screen that offer links to support and advice, and the additional support screens at the end of each module.

Hide content

If you find the content of the module to be difficult or triggering at any point, a 'Hide content' button will be accessible at all times. When selected, this will hide the content of the screen you are on, and halt any audio or video media that is currently playing in the course.

If you'd like to continue working on the module, you can then safely navigate to another screen without the content reappearing.

Using the course

Consent Matters consists of a range of features to assist with your learning. Here's what you need to know:

Content

The centre of each screen contains the core content for each course, presented as either text, interactive activities, graphics, videos or animations
Text highlighted in a box preceded by an arrow contains instructions on how to navigate the activities that follow
Terms highlighted like this are clickable glossary terms, and can be clicked on to access pop-up boxes containing definitions of key terms
Please note, using hyperlinks that link to resources outside of this course will open them in a new browser tab.

Text/print versions

We aim to make our courses as accessible as possible. However, in case you find any of our interactive activities difficult to operate via mouse, keyboard or any other means, we provide a 'text only version' for every screen, which will present the content in a simplified, text-based format. This includes transcripts for video and audio files, increased font sizes for greater readability.

Look out for the Text/print version button, located at the top right of any screen in the course, to toggle this feature.

You may also use this feature to activate a print-friendly version of any screen, in case you would like to print and keep the content for your notes.

Pods

Throughout this course, you will find additional learning opportunities in 'pods'. Pods can be clicked to open up extra content to expand or emphasise key points from the main screen, as well as links to useful external resources:

Useful info: Contains extra content to expand on key points from the main screen.
Glossary: Contains the glossary for the entire course.
Students say: Contains helpful or thought-provoking commentary from students about the screen content.
Audio: Contains helpful or thought-provoking audio commentary about the screen content.
Support: Provides helpful strategies for self-care and information on sources of support.
Think about it: Contains extra content to expand or emphasise key points from the main screen, including links to useful external resources.
Module evaluation: Contains a short survey for you to rate and send us feedback on the module you have completed.

Quiz

At the very end of each module, you have the opportunity to test your learning further with a multiple-choice quiz. This consists of three questions and can be taken more than once (a new set of questions will appear).

This course is designed to gradually build up your understanding and skills. We recommend that you complete the modules in the order given, but they have been designed so you can access each of them independently according to your own requirements and those of your institution.

Technical support

If you require technical support with using the course, please refer to the Technical support button, located at the top right of any screen in the course.

Who wrote the course?

The programme was developed in conjunction with a range of experts.

Advisory board

Alan Berkowitz :"
Lead Advisor

Alan Berkowitz acted as Lead Advisor, providing expert guidance and direction during the development of the course. Alan is an independent consultant who helps colleges, universities, public health agencies and communities design programmes that address health and social justice issues.

Reviewers

Katrina Daoud :"
Reviewer

Katrina Daoud is the Wellbeing Team Leader – Prevention and Development at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and has direct oversight of NTU's sexual violence prevention and response initiatives. With over 10 years of experience in the USA and UK, Katrina has extensive knowledge in sexual violence prevention education and training working to ensure higher education is inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all students.

Lesley Johnston :"
Reviewer

Lesley Johnston manages the sexual violence and gender-based violence internal service at Edinburgh University — The Equally Safe Team — which provides specialist advice and support to those affected by abuse. Lesley has held a number of gender-based violence related roles across a variety of key stakeholders in Scotland and has a particular interest and expertise in the development and delivery of gender-based violence training and resource materials.

Briony Leonard :"
Reviewer

Briony Leonard is the Student, Safety, Support and Wellbeing Coordinator at Southern Cross University.

Catharine Pruscino :"
Reviewer

Catharine Pruscino has more than 20 years of experience working across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors – focused on policy transformation and social impact. She leads the University of Technology Sydney's sexual harm prevention work which is community centred and focussed on sustainable culture change.

Student Reviewers

Maggie Reddy Ramireddy :"
Student reviewer

Maggie Reddy Ramireddy is a student at Nottingham Trent University.

Patricia Nascimento Lemos :"
Student reviewer

Patricia Lemos is a Psychology and Criminology graduate from Nottingham Trent University who is passionate about spreading knowledge and awareness about consent and safety.

Tadgh Tobin :"
Student reviewer

Tadgh Tobin is a PhD Candidate at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and works closely with the Consent is Everything team at NTU. Tadgh's research is primarily focused on understanding sexual violence as a social issue and perceptions of sexual offences.

Maitry Bhatt :"
Student reviewer

Maitry Bhatt is a student at the University of Technology, Sydney and a professional dancer. She enjoys learning, travelling, and assisting others, as well as learning new languages, playing guitar and spending time with her friends and family.

Aylin Cihan :"
Student reviewer

Aylin Cihan is a student at University of Technology Sydney and feels strongly about the critical nature of educating students on issues around consent and progressing the debate around this ever-evolving subject matter. Aylin formed part of the expert panel for Consent Matters and provided key insight that ensured the continued relevancy of the course in supporting the safety of individuals.

Mariam Yassine :"
Student reviewer

Mariam Yassine is a second-year student at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) studying law and communications (social and political sciences). They are also Events Director for the UTS Women Collective, a councillor on the Students Representative Council, and a UTS student ambassador and the Women's Equity Officer for various organisations.

Authors

Kelly Prince :"
Author

Dr. Kelly Prince is a researcher and consultant working in the field of sexual violence and harassment misconduct in higher education. Her research and practice in preventing and responding to gender-based violence spans 20 years. She is also a non-practising barrister.

Zoë Harrison :"
Author

Zoë Harrison is a social worker at Yarrow Place Rape & Sexual Assault Service, South Australia.

Accessibility

Wilma Alexander :"
Accessibility advisor

Wilma Alexander is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with Master's degrees in Human-Computer Interaction, Linguistics and Information Science. She has over 15 years of experience as a manager with the online learning team at the University of Edinburgh, where she specialised in usable and accessible digital practice, tutored on the groundbreaking Master's degree in Digital Education and developed online staff training on accessible e-learning and online tutoring skills. Since retiring from the University at the end of 2015, Wilma has provided consultancy services on all aspects of online learning, with a special focus on accessibility and usability issues.

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Introduction

warningContent warning

Hide content

Using the course

Content

Text/print versions

Pods

Quiz

Technical support

Who wrote the course?

Advisory board

Alan Berkowitz :" Lead Advisor

Reviewers

Katrina Daoud :" Reviewer

Lesley Johnston :" Reviewer

Briony Leonard :" Reviewer

Catharine Pruscino :" Reviewer

Student Reviewers

Maggie Reddy Ramireddy :" Student reviewer

Patricia Nascimento Lemos :" Student reviewer

Tadgh Tobin :" Student reviewer

Maitry Bhatt :" Student reviewer

Aylin Cihan :" Student reviewer

Mariam Yassine :" Student reviewer