Many believe that talking about sexual health is easier now than ever before.  

However, many still face challenges expressing and getting help.  

The Office of Anti-racism, Equity and Human right services (OAREHRS) of George Brown College (GBC) organized a sexual health trivia early in the Winter 24 semester, to provide educational information on sexual health. 

The trivia session was facilitated by Samanthan Bitty who is a sexual health and consent educator. 

The session focused on conversations about safer sex, consent, building relationships, and communication.  

The session was designed to change the traditional learning environment of education institutions and create a safer space to have these conversations.  

Sara Shivafard, gender and sexual violence prevention education coordinator at OAREHRS, said, “The intention with events such as sexual health trivia is to start and continue to build the healthy habit of having conversations about consent and to continue to foster a culture of consent on campus.”  

Sexual health involves both physical and mental aspects of well- being related to one’s sexuality.

It emphasizes the importance of safe experience, free from coercion and discrimination. This ensures that individuals make informed choices about their sexual life, contributing to their overall quality of life.   

However, discussing sexual health and mental health is not easy for all students, depending on their cultural and social backgrounds. 

Therefore, there is a need for a safe place to start this conversation.  

Shivafard emphasized on the importance of such conversation, especially to clear up misconceptions amongst people.  

“People may wonder about contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), consent, and more. Misconceptions can also be connected to pleasure, what one person finds pleasurable might be completely different from another person. People may also assume consent, thus the importance of addressing misconceptions with education, open conversations, patience, and kindness. We are all learning together and at our own pace.”   

The sexual health trivia event was one of the many steps to heightened education for students at GBC. 

OAREHRS is set to host multiple events throughout the semester for students to join. 

For more information, students can visit their instagram page @oarehrs_gbc or visit their website at https://www.georgebrown.ca/about/anti-racism-equity-and-human-rights-services