Letter to the Editor: Remember to be Safe and Respectful at USU’s Biggest Party
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As the Howl and Halloween approach, we wanted to take the time to remind all of us about the importance of engaging in consensual behaviors. Consensual behaviors indicate that we respect another person’s boundaries and their right to have autonomy over their body. Other people do not owe anything to us, especially their consent.
Halloween is a time where we can choose to dress in a variety of costumes, some of which can show off different parts of our bodies that we may or may not normally make visible. A person’s choice to wear a costume that is revealing does not give others permission to make comments about their body. Slut-shaming, catcalling, and other sexual comments or jokes are sexual harassment and are not okay.
Our costumes also do not give others the right to assume that we consent to dancing with them or being touched. Groping or grinding without a person’s consent is sexual assault, and these actions communicate that we do not respect that person or their body. A person’s costume is not their consent.
So, if you want to dance with someone, ask them first. If you want to do more than dance with someone, also ask them first. The less we assume what other people are okay with, the more likely it is that we are respecting and maintaining their boundaries, as well as engaging in behaviors that are consensual.
And if you notice someone engaging in nonconsensual behaviors or someone who seems uncomfortable, be an Upstander and do something. You can do this by directly talking to the people involved in the situation, getting others to help you address the behaviors, or creating a distraction.
It’s time we talk more openly about consent and consensual behaviors because we all deserve to have positive experiences at the Howl and on Halloween. Everyone should be part of making sure that respect is the foundation we have for interacting with others. Doing so will make campus, and the Howl, a welcoming place for all.
Emmalee Fishburn is the Prevention Specialist in the Office of Equity at Utah State University. In her role, she coordinates sexual violence prevention efforts for faculty, staff, and students at all USU campuses. She has her Master of Public Health degree in Professional Health Education and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. She can be contacted at emmalee.fishburn@usu.edu.
Felicia Gallegos, MSW, is the Outreach and Prevention Coordinator for the Sexual Assault & Anti-Violence Information (SAAVI) Office at Utah State University. In her role, she works closely with the Office of Equity Prevention Specialist to implement sexual violence prevention efforts. She is also responsible for planning and executing several events, campaigns, presentations and trainings to raise awareness about SAAVI. She can be contacted at felicia.gallegos@usu.edu.