For me, sex-ed began in middle school. I remember separating into two groups (boys and girls) to learn about the biological information relevant to our bodies. After an incredibly awkward lecture, our health teacher gave us free samples of deodorant (middle school students definitely needed a reminder to wear it) and feminine sanitary products. At the end of the year, we watched a video of a woman giving birth.

Fast forward to high school. Sex-ed was again touched on as a short segment during our required health class. We learned about the male and female anatomy, STDs and different methods of birth control. I do not recall learning anything about consent.

For me, this hasn't been detrimental. I like to believe that I have a clear moral code and the concept of "consent" has always made sense to me (and still does). I even remember rolling my eyes when training for a previous job required completing a lengthy module on how to not sexually assault or rape my coworkers. It has always been common sense to me.

However, when I went to college, I quickly became alarmed at the amount of students on my own campus that didn't understand what constitutes consent, sexual assault and even rape. Unfortunately, college students need to be reminded to do things as simple as flush the toilets (there are actual signs to remember to flush on campus). Things that should come easily to everyone are not always common sense. This may sound condescending, but it is an unfortunate reality that we face.

Along with what I have observed on campus, there are several terrifying statistics that support this notion:

• A 2007 Department of Justice survey found that 35 percent of sexual assault victims didn't report the crime because it was "unclear that it was a crime or that harm was intended."
• According to a recent study done at the University of North Dakota which studied 73 college men, 31.7 percent of participants said they would act on “intentions to force a woman to sexual intercourse” if they were confident they could get away with it. When asked whether they would act on “intentions to rape a woman” with the same assurances they wouldn’t face consequences, just 13.6 percent of participants agreed.
• 18 Percent Of College Students Think Someone Has Consented As Long As They Don't Say "No."

This confusion and spiked rates of rapes/sexual assaults on campus are not a fate that we have to accept. Consent is not always clear. Several other factors such as peer pressure, alcohol/drugs and coercion can play into it not being given. Many consent initiatives are seeming to work such as Canada's Don't Be That Guy which brought a 10% decrease in sexual assaults. Programs such as this are helpful, but if these concepts of consent are discussed earlier (such as in high school or even middle school) many more cases of sexual assault could be prevented before we find ourselves explaining basic definitions of consent to adults in college and the workforce. For more information and resources, check out the RAINN website and this metaphor which gives a clear definition of consent.