Yesterday, 1,345 college students reinforced why this work and these programs are essential.
After experiencing my “Can I Kiss You?” program at The College of New Jersey, students anonymously shared what they were taking away.
**“Thank you so much. I feel seen and heard, you’re changing lives.”**
Another student wrote:
**“I would describe the session as a powerful reminder of the individual strength we hold to protect others and ourselves.”**
Another:
**“Amazing and empowering, I think it made me feel a lot more confident in my sexual health.”**
And this:
**“It’s about how important boundaries and consent are and how they don’t limit your love life but actually strengthens it.”**
Then there are the numbers.
Of the 1,345 students responding:
**98.6%** said they are now more likely to ASK FIRST before engaging in sexual intimacy.
**99.0%** said they are now more likely to STOP someone from using alcohol to sexually assault another person.
**97.2%** said they are now more likely to tell loved ones, *“I am here for you,”* if someone ever sexually assaults them.
THIS is why we need to stop settling for awareness.
Students deserve **skills**.
Words they can actually say.
Actions they can actually take.
The confidence to ASK FIRST.
The strength to RESPECT THE ANSWER.
The courage to intervene.
And the compassion to be there for survivors.
One student summed it up in seven words:
**“You don’t ever owe anything sexual to anyone ever.”**
YES.
Imagine what happens on a campus when thousands of students don’t simply hear about consent and respect — they leave knowing exactly how to **live it**.
That is how culture change.
One interaction at a time.
And tonight we do this for a campus, Central College, I’ve been on speaking on for over 20 consecutive years.
**Ask First & Respect the Answer.**
Thanks for being you. 
P.S. AI created the image.
#Consent #Respect #CollegeStudents #SexualAssaultPrevention #CampusCulture #AskFirst #CenterForRespect