The Consent Awareness Week Act will declare the third week of September as Consent Awareness Week throughout Ontario to raise awareness of the meaning of consent and encourage consent education. The third week of September was chosen to recognize the sharp increase in cases of sexual violence during the first six weeks of the school year.
Sexual assault is one of the most underreported, pervasive and gendered forms of violence in Canada. 30% of all women aged 15 and older experienced sexual assault in their lifetime, compared to 8% of men, but only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to the police. Young women between the ages of 12 and 34 are at the highest risk for sexual assault.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for greater public understanding of the meaning of consent. Currently, less than half of Canadians fully understand what consent means and how to practice it, and this lack of understanding can lead to sexual assault.
This bill is an attempt to change that. It will help prevent sexual assault by putting a focus on consent education, and by designating Consent Awareness Week as an annual reminder of everyone’s right to be respected and safe in all spaces.
Ontarians deserve to feel safe on their campuses, in their schools, in their workplaces, and beyond.
To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
WHEREAS sexual assault is one of the most underreported, pervasive and gendered forms of violence in Canada;
WHEREAS approximately one in three Canadian women over age 15 has experienced sexual assault, but only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to the police;
WHEREAS a clear understanding of what consent entails is essential to prevent sexual assault, but less than half of Canadians understand the full meaning of consent and how to practice it;
WHEREAS young women between the ages of 12 and 34 are at the highest risk for sexual assault and there is a sharp increase in cases of sexual violence during the first six weeks of the school year;
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, PETITION THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO AS FOLLOWS:
That the Government of Ontario pass the Consent Awareness Week Act, 2025 to declare the third week of September as Consent Awareness Week and facilitate expanded consent awareness education, programming, and initiatives in Ontario schools, workplaces and across the province.
