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Terry P. Humphreys, Charlene Muehlenhard, Zoe Peterson, Kristen Jozkowski, Understanding the Complexity of Sexual Consent: Normative Attitudes and Behaviors in University Women and Men, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 14, Issue Supplement_4b, May 2017, Page e235, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.04.131
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Introduction
Recently sexual consent has been the focal point of discussions (and some academic research) regarding sexual assault on university/college campuses and prevention efforts. Much of the messaging in current sexual consent prevention campaigns seems to necessitate new ways of communicating sexually without a solid understanding of normative sexual consent scripts.
Methods
I will review a number of studies that my colleagues (Muehlenhard, Peterson and Jozkowski) and I have conducted focusing on (1) how university/college students communicate consent to a partner, (2) how students read consent cues from a partner, and (3) attitudinal research.
Outcomes
This research will highlight the complexities of understanding sexual consent in the university/college context including limited knowledge about sex, sexual double standards, alcohol, distinctions between consenting and wanting, ambivalence, and uncertainty. It is clear that student's positive attitudes toward obtaining sexual consent tend not to match their current behaviors when negotiating sexual consent with a partner. Numerous factors influence sexual consent negotiations including gender, relationship status, and sexual precedence.