Oxbridge freshers to attend consent classes to learn how not to rape
Classes have divided opinion across the country with some students branding them "patronising"
FRESHERS at Oxford and Cambridge universities will attend consent classes to learn how not to sexually assault fellow undergraduates.
Classes at Oxford University are compulsory - while Cambridge students can choose not to attend the same workshops.
The initiative, adopted by an increasing number of universities across the country, has proved controversial with some branding the classes "patronising" while others argue they are important to promote discussions around consent.
During the 90 minute class Oxbridge students will learn that it is rape if your sexual partner is drunk and that no means no.
Orla White, vice president for women at Oxford University, runs the workshops.
The 21-year-old said: "The classes are really important to initiate conversations around consent.
"They break taboos and encourage discussions which didn’t happen in sex education at school.
"The feedback we get is extremely positive because students can discuss the issues in a safe environment with people their own age."
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Last year a Warwick University student George Lawson said he found it "incredibly hurtful" to be invited to the classes.
He has since said: "I've never been to a consent class and I've still managed never to have sexually assaulted anyone.
"It's not a miracle and it's not the results of the efforts of Student Union officers.
"It's because I, like most people, understand right from wrong."
Last week up to a quarter of students did not attend some consent classes at York University with one third year student telling the Daily Mail: "Consent talks are patronising. If students really need lessons in how to say yes or no then they should not be at university."
For the second year Bristol freshers are being told to take a test on consent and then attend a discussion workshop - last year less than half of students turned up.
Audrey Sebatindira, Women's Officer at Cambridge University Students' Union, said: "The purpose is to bust myths about sexual violence, encourage students to openly discuss sexual consent, signpost them to relevant organisations and individuals and to reinforce the importance of bodily autonomy.
"There's only one workshop that freshers attend as part of a host of other freshers talks, but students are encouraged to continue having these conversations throughout the year.
"Some have even gone on to run uni-wide campaigns of their own around the issue of consent."
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