In the last few years a national debate has been playing out over sexual harassment and assault in the workplace and between students on college campuses. House lawmakers have passed a bill which would introduce the concept of consent to sexual education in Rhode Island high schools.
Lilian Rogers works for the nonprofit Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health in Pawtucket, which trains educators in how to approach sex education. She said too often sex education focuses solely on the physical risks of sex, such as unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
“But there’s also this aspect of emotional risk. How do you feel afterward? Is there something you would have changed about it? Did you feel comfortable communicating with a partner? And that is a huge thing that doesn’t really get touched on,” said Rogers.
The bill to encourage teachers to address the consent in sex ed must now pass in the Rhode Island Senate. California and Virginia have already passed similar laws.
