Hi, I’m McKenzie – A Real Talk Comic Book

McKenzie has been through some difficult stuff – and survived. In this video McKenzie talks about experiencing sexual abuse, telling someone about it, finding a support group, and eventually feeling brave enough to try dating. McKenzie has good advice to share about boundaries, pleasure, and sticking up for yourself.

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Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW)

• Website
• Crisis & Info Line 604-255-6344
• Or Toll Free: 1-877-392-7583

BC Male Survivors

• Website
• Phone 604-682-6482

Other resources:

• Let’s Get Real Dating Group

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Why We Talk About…

Consent

Consent is the foundation of healthy partnered sexuality. Knowing that everyone is an enthusiastic, informed, freely-given ‘yes’ to a sexual activity before it happens is mandatory.

Adults with cognitive disabilities often get told what to do – by staff or families or even by strangers like medical specialists they only meet once. They may be punished if they don’t comply. When this happens, they learn that it’s not important whether or not they consent to something. They have to do what they’re told.

Given these experiences, consent is a concept that needs to be talked about and demonstrated often. This helps people learn how to ask for consent in sexual situations. It also helps them learn how to give consent when they’re a ‘yes’, and how to not give it when they’re a ‘no’.

It’s also valuable for staff and families to think about how we can model consent in our daily interactions with the people we support so that we are not sending mixed messages. (eg. “No always means no… except when I’m telling you to eat your broccoli.”)