Resilience is supporting HB 3550, which would require Illinois schools to teach age-appropriate consent as a part of any sex education curriculum.
Speaking about the importance of educating youth about consent, Director of Education & Training Lillian Cartwright says:
“It’s never too early to begin educating about consent. Education on consent fosters compassion, empathy, accountability, and respect for others’ boundaries. It provides a framework for helping young people understand that the choices they make, the behaviors and actions they take, affect others. In the same way, it empowers youth to identify and assert their own boundaries in relationships and beyond. Youth are bombarded with harmful messaging and misinformation about sex and sexuality in the media, online, among peers, and oftentimes in their own families. Examining what getting consent or giving consent really means –what it looks like, sounds like, feels like–is a powerful mechanism for equipping youth with the knowledge and language needed to protect themselves and prevent harm to others. When we normalize talking about consent, healthy sexuality, and respecting our partners, we open the door for youth to have those conversations among themselves. Sexual violence breeds in secrecy and silence. Replacing shame, stigma, and confusion, with accurate information, honesty, and openness is critical in preventing further sexual harm.”
Read more about HB 3550 here
Read the press release for HB 3550 here