Consent Condoms™ - What’s The Story?
Consent Condoms™ - What’s The Story?
A Conversation with Say It With A Condom Founder Benjamin Sherman
Can you define the term Consent Condoms™? Then, can you tell us what the term means to you?
The Consent Condoms™, to me, are a tool that can be used to start a conversation about the importance of asking for consent before engaging in any sexual activity. We don’t fool ourselves into thinking that just because a condom has a message pertaining to consent that it would stop an assault from happening. But we do believe that because of the uniqueness and because of the message it carries, it is an alternative conversation-starter that will enable the recipient-- whether in the heat of the moment or when receiving it as a handout in the health office, or in an orientation kit-- to think about the importance that consent carries. It can also assist in helping the recipient to respect themselves and to understand what consent actually means. They might not be aware themselves of what consent is, and this product, this tool, this condom, this Consent Condom can help them question what it means to ask for Consent. Boom.Why consent? Of all the various causes to stand behind, why did you choose to commit to consent as the cause your company backs?
Just about two years ago, when looking for a way to grow Say It With A Condom with a limited marketing budget, we recognized that many groups, often with suppressed voices, were coming to us to create awareness for a message. Whether that message be about LGBT rights, consent, or HIV awareness, we realized that these organizations had a limited budget and believed that they could get more bang for their buck by promoting their message with a condom, and giving their message the attention it deserves. Upon further research in January of 2014, we became aware of the issues that students were facing on college campuses pertaining to sexual assault. This was before the media got hold of the federal investigation into how colleges were mishandling sex assaults. Through a brainstorming session, we came up with the 5 taglines that we thought would bring the most attention to this challenge. In March of 2014, we launched the Consent Condoms™."The Consent Condoms™ that we created can help start a narrative in the community about the importance of asking for consent before engaging in any sexual activity."
What was the goal of creating this type of line?
It was to increase awareness for Say It With A Condom as an alternative platform for creating awareness for a brand, product, service, or event. In time, asking for consent became a part of the mantra that all employees of our company hold close their heart. Since we embarked on Consent Condoms™ two years ago, the majority of our office staff feels that they are more understanding of the need to ask for Consent before engaging in any sexual activity. And, we were looking for ways to extend the business. This line helped to build this company by helping others share a message, that message being consent.
