On April 27, the Prevention, Advocacy and Resource Center did a tabling event on sexual violence awareness in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium. The event lasted from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and focused on the F.R.I.E.S model of consent: Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic and Specific. 

PARC student representatives were present at the event, and informed the student body about the importance of consent through activity sheets. These included a self-assessment sheet, partnership goals and practicing consent sheet. The event also laid out giveaway items including the F.R.I.E.S model squish-toy, french fries, PARC slime, stress balls and tote bags reading “Create Consent Culture.” Santiago Salazar ’29, a PARC representative, stated that “people have neglected [consent],” and believes we need to “emphasize it for our generation.”

Ella Osen ’26 informed individuals about PARC’s upcoming Denim Day on April 28 in a campaign against victim blaming to show support for those impacted by sexual violence. 

The event directed individuals to resources on campus and provided the contact information for the Brandeis Counseling Center, Health and Wellness Promotion, PARC and the Student Health Center. Along with on-campus resources, PARC handed out Recognize Violence and Change Culture cards which included survivor support resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Sexual Assault Hotline. 

Osen mentioned that this was PARC’s end of year celebration but they wanted to do something that would grab students’ attention, which is why they organized it in such a manner. Additionally, Sydney Jones ’28 stated “[the event served as] a good way to connect with the community and for people to get to know PARC.” Additionally, Isaac Lambert ’26 mentioned that consent does not only relate to sex or relationships. “[Consent] relates to sex but also [applies to] every area of one’s life.”

PARC serves as a confidential resource to students and a campus resource that supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence on campus. Their office is in Usdan G108 and is staffed by student advocates and three professional staff members, Director Kate Richey, Violence Prevention Specialist & Survivor Advocate Becca Van Spall-Hood and intern Alenna Chen.

— Editor’s Note: The Justice Senior Editor Julia Hardy is a member of PARC and did not contribute to or edit this article.