The Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) held its sex week from Nov. 17-21 to inform students of the positives of safer and fun sex.
Over the course of the week, a variety of workshops were held in Residence Commons.
“We decided to hold a sex week because sexual consent and sexual positivity, especially in residence, is important,” said Arpita Dar, RRRA vice-president (programming). “We want to emphasize safe sex, consent, and how to take care of your body.”
Ottawa sex shop Venus Envy held a workshop on Nov. 18 entitled “Hot Safer Sex for Everyone.”
The workshop focused on students being able to make their own rules based on knowledge and communication. It also worked to discredit the negative stigma surrounding sex talk.
When it comes to balancing safe sex with hot sex, “its about being realistic and bringing some humour into it, there are ways to make it hot and fun,” said Venus Envy representative Isabeau Welter.
During the workshop, students could send a text message to the Venus Envy representative anonymously. Venus Envy implemented the new tool to allow students to ask questions who may have been too shy to do so otherwise. The anonymous questions created an open and safe environment so students could get the information they needed.
Wetler said workshops like these are important because students often have questions about sex and nowhere to ask them.
“The way that were often taught [about sex] by mainstream media offers a very narrow view of sex,” she said.
Throughout the presentation, the Venus Envy representative talked about the prevention, risk, symptoms, and cure for sexually transmitted infections (STI). On average, people who are sexually active should be tested for infections once a year.
“We’re at the age where these conversations are at the forefront of our minds,” said Julia Parsons, a first-year political science student. “I had no clue that you could contract STI’s through skin-to-skin contact.”
While Venus Envy focuses on tools and information to broaden students’ safe sex knowledge, they also focus on consent and communication.
“It is important to emphasize that consent is always needed. I feel like safe space revolves around what’s okay and what’s not okay,” Dar said. “We’re trying to emphasize this conversation.”
For Parsons, the emphasis that safe sex can also be hot sex was a highlight.
“Just because you’re having these conversations and taking charge doesn’t mean it has to be awkward or weird,” she said.
RRRA executives and volunteers tabled in Residence Commons on Nov. 19 where students could win prizes while learning about services that are offered on campus, such as information on the available STI tests at health and counselling services.
Dr. Robin Milhausen hosted “Sex, Toys and Chocolate” on Nov. 20 which focused on a variety of relationship issues regarding sexuality, health and safe sexual behaviour.
A games night will finish off the week on Nov. 21.
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