Two students, male and female, sat on a couch in front of a full Union Theater audience Tuesday evening as Mike Domitz asked them how they would show their affection at the end of a date.
While this seems unconventional, Domitz uses this tactic to teach students safe dating practices. It’s all part of his “Can I Kiss You?” program that he presents at schools around the country.
Domitrz, who founded The Date Safe Project, shared his presentation with University students at the request of the University’s Student Health Center and Student Activities Board.
Domitrz said he hope the main lesson students take away from the hour-long program is how to ask for consent from their partners before doing anything physical, even if it’s just a kiss.
Brining the “Can I Kiss You?” program to campus was the idea of human resource education senior Melanie McKoin, who a member of the Student Activities Board.
McKoin said she wanted to bring light a topic that she said is often considered too taboo to talk about in public.
“I like the way he toook a funny approach to it, and I thought all of the information was very helpful. It opened your eyes of what you really need to be aware of,” said Emily LaSaicjerre, business management freshman.
Domitrz’shumorous delivery is a good way to discuss the topic, she said.
According to Seirra Fowler, Student Health promotions coordinator, Domitrz has given smaller presentations in the past few years at the University, but it has been approximately four years since his presentation was available to the whole campus.
Domitrz uses light-hearted dialogue to help students understand and remember his message about sexual assault, consent, and healthy dating practices. His goal, he said, is to leave students with skills on how to have healthy relationships and prevent sexual assults.
Students always hear not to get pregnant or contract an STD, but that isn’t as helpful as knowing how to take positive steps, Domitrz said.
“Our culture only teaches us what not to do and what not to get,” said Domitrz.
During the program, Domitrz interacted with his audience, inviting students on stage to help demonstrate different situations they could possibly find themselves to prove that being awkward isn’t nessacrily a bad thing.
Asking permission can be a sign that you care for the person, he said.
Domitrz was inspired to create the “Can I Kiss You?” program after his sister was raped while he was in college. He uses his sister’s story to compel others to take action rather than stand by when others are taken advantage of.
Using body language to tell if someone is interested can be misleading, Domitrz said. Instead of guessing, Domitrz said, ask for what the want from their patener so that consent is clear.