I Heart Consent week

What does a healthy relationship look like? How can you safely step in if you see a situation that you think could be harassment?

Find out next week as DMU and De Montfort Students’ Union celebrate I Heart Consent, a week of activities and events with the focus on consent and healthy relationships and information about the support available at the university.

The keynote speaker will be DMU’s own Professor Vanessa Bettinson, whose research into the victims of coercive control helped bring new laws into effect in Scotland. A new domestic abuse bill which features controlling relationships is making its way through Parliament now.

Here is what is happening on campus for I Heart Consent week:

Monday 4 February

Bystander Awareness Masterclass from 3pm to 4pm in the Campus Centre

Tuesday 5 February

Keynote speaker Professor Vanessa Bettinson on ‘Recognising a coercive and controlling relationship’, 1pm to 2pm, Hugh Aston 3.95

Wednesday 6 February

Light the Night March, in support of sexual violence victims around the world. Starts at 6pm from Mill Lane Bridge to Leicester Town Hall, before returning back to DMU Campus Centre

We’re also asking you to share you tips for creating positive and healthy relationships on Instagram, tagging @demontfortsu and on Twitter tagging @dmu_mandala.

Natalie McKeown who leads The Mandala Project said: “We want students to have the opportunity to find out more about healthy relationships, learn skills so they can actively promote respect on campus and have information so they access support quickly if something is worrying them.”

Law lecturer Dr Melanie Crofts who is part of the SVDV research group at the university has been working with The Mandala Project and the DSU to highlight the way our faculties can become involved in supporting the events.

She said: “I'm really pleased DMU is holding a series of events to highlight such important issues. With the #MeToo and #NowstheTime campaigns, as well as all the media attention these issues are receiving, it's a timely initiative. Thanks to everyone who is involved in making it happen!”

To find out more about #HealthyDMU click here.