The Sexy Time discussion that took place on April 1 in the UC Program Lounge highlighted the importance of consent and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This discussion provided students with a safe and open environment to discuss issues about healthy sexuality and relationships.

"Consent is saying yes to something consciously," Brittany Talley, the coordinator of Campus Violence Prevention Program, said. "It is important to stress consciousness when learning the rules of how to keep you and others safe."

Missouri's legal age of consent for sexual contact is 17 years old. There are a total of nine states that have a legal age of consent of 17.

Statutory rape and sodomy are committed if sexual relations involve a child less than 14 years of age. Statutory rape and sodomy in the second degree involve a child less than 17 years of age and an accused who is 21 years of age or older.

It is important to follow the laws when it comes to sexual consent. One should not only keep in mind the age by law, but also the power structures between dominant males and females when becoming involved in a relationship with someone.

The entire event focused on learning how to be comfortable enough to talk about sex and relationship issues. This is a big issue on campuses that a lot of students, even faculty aren't comfortable talking about. The discussion educated students on how important it is to begin talking about these issues on campus and promoting events such as this and helping bring awareness to sexual assault to campus life.

"If you can't talk to your partner about sex, then you should definitely question if you should be doing it with them," Talley said.

The discussion provided students with helpful information on recognizing what consent means and the difference between consenting and feeling forced to handle a situation in a certain way that they may not have wanted to. Students were educated on how to ask for consent and also how to give consent.

Students were able to discuss personal experiences in their lives and share those moments with their peers. Talley provided students with information on how to talk with others about the steps leading up to consent and how to utilize safety words in an uncomfortable situation with a partner and where to find helpful resources after being victimized. There was also information provided on how to prevent and look for signs of sexual assault.

This discussion was led by Redhawk Health Educators. The Redhawk Health Educators are a group of Southeast students who are Certified Peer Educators who help in assisting students with a health or wellness related problem.

Student health educators are available through the Southeast Recreation Services to talk to students having issues with a variety of topics or to present educational health and wellness programs to other student groups such as residence hall communities, Greek chapters, UI100 classes, student organizations and clubs, outside campus organizations and anyone else who is interested in learning more about one or more of these topics.

"I feel that we need to be more comfortable about talking about uncomfortable things," Peyton Mogley, a student and participant in the Health Educators Program, said.

The Redhawk Health Educators and Campus Violence Prevention Program sponsor these events. For more information, students can email Talley at cvpp@semo.edu or visit Dearmont B1 Wing.