Clarissa J. DiSantis
Education and Training Lead Active* Consent, University of Galway
While influencers shape online trends, educators hold lasting influence by building trust, shaping values and creating safer learning environments for students.
While we worry about the impact of social media influencers on young people’s beliefs, their one-sided reach cannot match the people who our youth know and trust in real life.
Where real influence begins
Educators shape their students’ hearts and minds through real relationships. Their influence is recalled far beyond the classroom.
As adults, many of us remember educators who delivered important life lessons with respect and care. That lasting guidance was grounded by authentic connection. This is true influence.
With this influence comes responsibility.
A reality educators can’t ignore
Educators themselves must learn how to deal with difficult issues and create space for constructive conversations. For many, understanding sexual violence and harassment (SVH), especially with the online means now used for perpetration, was not part of the professional training curriculum.
Groups like Active* Consent help teachers meet that gap. Simply put, students in secondary and tertiary education are commonly subjected to sexual violence and harassment (SVH). This often happens within peer groups, and many survivors are unsure how to access support (MacNeela et al., 2022; Walsh, 2021). SVH has significant consequences – including long-term physical, emotional and psychological harm, and the potential for disrupted academic progress.
Educators cannot meet every support need, but they can help create a safe learning environment associated with a culture of consent and respect
Turning influence into action
Educators cannot meet every support need, but they can help create a safe learning environment associated with a culture of consent and respect. Yet, they need training themselves to be empowered to do so.
The Active* Consent programme, based at University of Galway, provides training to assist educators in creating this culture. We support educators to engage students in meaningful conversations about consent and healthy relationships.
In a world focused on online influence, we must remember the importance educators have in cultivating respectful communication that lasts among our young people.
INFO BOX:
To learn more visit: consenthub.ie or email: [email protected].
