The Complexity of Consent

Consent is a complex practice in a society that emphasizes dominance and violence over specific groups of people, i.e. those who have been oppressed and harmed by the systems in place. In this workshop, we will briefly explore the concept of consent to highlight how consent practices are impacted by our bodily responses, our unknown boundaries, and how power gaps impact our ability to give and receive consent. We will explore the limitations of consent to highlight accountability in oneself and ways to establish boundaries within those spaces. Throughout our workshop, we will find ways to play, discuss, and question how we view consent in a world designed around coercion.

This workshop will include 10-15 minute breaks over hour

Meet your educator:

Draven L. Alexander is a Trauma-Informed Sexuality Educator and Ph.D. candidate in Human Sexuality at the California Institute of Integral Studies. With a background as a Mental Health Therapist, Draven spent over a decade supporting individuals and families through trauma recovery, neurodivergence, and identity development using modalities such as psychoeducation, play therapy, and behaviorism.

Today, Draven focuses on adult education and community organizing within sex positive communities. They are the founder of Draven’s Dynamic Education, an international platform offering courses in Age Play, Consent, BDSM, Neurodivergence, and Sexuality. Additionally, Draven teaches internationally through the Consent Academy, and co-founded Sex Positive Olympia, where they lead efforts in pleasure activism, policy development, and inclusive event coordination.

Their academic and community work centers on sexual citizenship, neurodiversity, and systemic care, with presentations at AASECT, NWSA, and THRIVE. Draven’s current research explores to what extent BDSM participants are trauma informed. 

What else should I know?

• This is an online class series via Zoom. Zoom link and instructions will be emailed the day before and 30 minutes before the workshop begins.
• Each workshop will be recorded for later viewing. The slides will also be made available.
• Class time is listed in Pacific Time. Use this time zone converter to see what time the class will be for you: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html
• Pay-What-You-Can tickets are open to anyone who needs them. Choose the ticket that is best for you.
• Please let us know by email if you have any questions, access needs, or things that would aid in your learning: theconsentacademy@gmail.com

About Consent Academy:

Consent Academy is an educational collective founded in 2016 in Seattle, WA, currently with staff and volunteers all over the world. We believe consent is a part of everyday life, and its practice builds stronger, safer, and more connected communities. Our approach incorporates disciplines of psychology, sociology, public health, psychotherapy, and personal coaching to create a systemic view of how consent impacts everyone, from the bedroom to the boardroom. 

Consent Academy is a program of the Pan Eros Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. All of our profits support our educational programming. For more information, visit us at www.consent.academy.