Freshers must learn about consent before Toga Night for the first time

First years from across Wellington halls gathered to learn about consent before O-Week. Photo / Sammy Carter  

Before the partying, drinking and one-night stands begin, freshers must learn about consent at Massey halls.  

Students were not allowed to attend the Toga Night, one of the biggest O-Week events, without attending the consent education event.  

The “Don’t Guess the Yes” sexual violence campaign spoke to Massey students in both Wellington and Palmerston North last week, and will be speaking in Auckland on the 28th of Feb.  

Ellyn Rose Smith Whatley, Massey rainbow and takatāpui wellbeing adviser, said, “This event is the first of its kind, its more in-depth, more formal and not just internally run.” 

In previous years, Massey Halls only held sex quizzes throughout the year, but no educational events. 

Whatley said most students don’t learn consent in high school, so it's important to teach them straight out of the gate. 

“Consent, safe sex and partying do go hand in hand with O-Week.” 

Massey will continue to hold consent education before O-Week from now on, said Whatley. 

“At a certain point in time, these presentations won’t be needed because everyone will know.” 

Speaking to the crowd of students, Whatley used one of her own experiences from two weeks ago to show the importance of intervening in a suspicious situation.  

She said, as her and her partner were walking home, they saw a barely conscious girl at a bus stop with a man who was not nearly as drunk.  

One look at each other and Whatley’s partner quietly called the ambulance while she distracted the man by chatting. When the ambulance arrived the man quickly ran away and the woman was safe.  

Eli Armstrong, fresher fashion student said, “There's more of chance of something happening in the week of partying, so we are learning before the partying starts.” 

Wiremu Johnston, first year screen arts student said the campaign taught him more about how to intervene in a situation that doesn’t look right. “If it’s a gut feeling, act on it, you can feel bad about it later.” 

He said consent is when both parties are 100% okay with what's going to happen.  

“You don’t wanna put yourself in a situation where you’re gonna hurt someone.”