Consensual sex is defined as a mutual agreement prior to sexual activity.
On April 12, the GTC Dramatic Dialogues came to the Univerity of Wisconsin-Platteville to perform at the “Speaking of Sex” event held by Prevention and Education Coordinator Jessi Ensenberger for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event was meant to give insight about sexual assault.
The event started with a resource fair where community and campus organizations, such as Student Health Services, University Counseling Services, University Police and Southwest Health Center set up booths.
“I chose the departments and organizations because they are high-quality resources for survivors, and together, they encompass the full range of services that survivors need,” Ensenberger said. “That includes physical health, emotional health, safety, law enforcement, investigation, and advocacy.”
Following the resource fair, the GTC Dramatic Dialogues took over and began their presentation. It started off with a discussion; what is communication, what is sex and what is consensual sex?
Once the conversation ended the acts began. There were two actors on stage: one male and one female. They rehearsed three scenes with different themes and interactions. Then they were stopped by the host and answered questions from the crowd while in character.
The first act was a party scene during Mardi Gras. The woman was given a VIP shot when she walked though the door. She was intoxicated and the tried to take her upstairs. The theme of the skit was date rape drugs.
The following skit was a scenario where a fight breaks out between two friends. There was lack of communication regarding their relationship’s boundaries and the woman had slept with someone else, which made the man extremely sad. The theme of this skit was communication and commitment and how to determine when a consenting sexual relationship is exclusive.
The third and final skit was the hardest for the crowd to respond to. It started out with a new couple coming home from a party sober. The woman began to change into her normal clothes and the man sexually assaulted her. The theme of this skit was rape and sexual assault and what they mean. The conversation proceeding was insightful; they discussed many things about where to go for those who have experienced similar situations and how to know if it is considered rape.
After the skits, the resource fair volunteers came to the front and introduced themselves so students knew who to go to if they come across similar situations.
Unfortunately not many students took advantage of the event.
“We had about 35 students in attendance, which was a little disappointing, especially considering how interesting and engaging the performance was,” Ensenberger said.
It is not too late for students to get involved in Sexual Assault Awareness month as there are more events. The next event is “Dance the Night Away” on April 18.  It is a late night benefit with proceeds gong to Family Advocates, Inc. There will be student dance performances, a silent auction, food and various craft sales. Student tickets are $5 and general public tickets are $15.