1. A disturbing finding among young people

Recent studies point to a disturbing reality: 

• In 2020, a survey by Amnesty International in Belgium revealed that one in three young people considers it normal to keep insisting on sexual relations.

• One in four thinks that indecision equals consent.

• The BEHAVES 2024 survey in the Walloon and Brussels Federation indicated that almost one in three people in academia have already experienced sexist or sexual violence.

  The most common behaviors: unwanted touching, repeated invitations despite refusal, imposed kisses or caresses.

2. Debunking stereotypes

The "Consent? So sexy!" campaign tries to break myths around consent.

It reminds that, according to the 2022 sexual criminal law reform, consent must be: 

• free, informed and voluntary,

• reversible at any time,

• and can never be inferred from silence or the absence of resistance.

Michel Pasteel, director of the Institute, emphasizes the importance of action among young people, especially when they enter higher education, a period marked by freedom and experimentation.

3. A campaign visible everywhere

Starting from the 2025 school year, the campaign will be rolled out:

• on the university campuses of Brussels, Leuven, Liège, Namur, Mons, Ghent, Antwerp, Hasselt and Louvain-la-Neuve ;

• via public posters, brochures and stickers ;

• online, on social networks (Meta, Snapchat, YouTube) and even on dating websites and adult platforms.

This wide dissemination aims to remind that talking about consent is already acting.

Sources 

• news.belgium.be – “Consent? So sexy!”

• Institute for the Equality of Women and Men – Consent

• Maintenant J’en Parle – Consent and the Belgian law

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