Sasha Saliba
In Motion Staff Writer
It’s only fitting that in the month of February, when the pinks and reds of Valentine’s Day flood most stores, also brings awareness to what it means to be sexually responsible.
Sexual Responsibility Week was observed collegewide Feb. 8-12, with Sexual Responsibility Day taking place on the Daytona campus on Feb. 10 at the Student Landing. The event was similar to Welcome Back and Safe Spring Break, where various clubs set up tables and represent different ideas about what it meansto be sexually responsible. The Art Club talked about the importance of consent and how easily that can be misconstrued, while Phi Theta Kappa encouraged the use of condoms and even had STD detection packets available.
Stephanie Gaumer, President of Digital Media Falcons, had a slightly different and more personal approach to students.
“Before you do anything you should stop and ask yourself if this is what you really want and if you are truly being respectful to yourself and others involved,” she said.
At the Digital Media Falcons table they had a list of questions individuals should ask themselves before they become sexually involved with someone, as well as tips on dating and relationships.
Major organizations were also in attendance at the event, such as the Rape Crisis Center. Although most students are taught in middle and high school about sexual health and responsibility, this week and day brought about many different opinions that college students, as well as adults, have about sex and relationships.
Barbara Hinebaugh, a chair member of the Volusia Literacy Council, as well as a registered nurse, said that “Girls and boys must be sexually responsible. It is a dangerous world out there, and diseases such as AIDS and herpes are with you for life. Instead of thinking only in the moment, think long term and think about how those diseases will affect your future career goals.”