Res. No. 647
Resolution declaring Consent Awareness Week in the City of New York during the third week of September
By Council Members Farías, Maloney and Gutiérrez
Whereas, Consent is a foundational principle in personal autonomy, healthy relationships, workplace interactions, and lawful conduct, requiring a voluntary, informed, and mutual agreement between individuals prior to engaging in specific actions; and
Whereas, Consent is relevant across many aspects of daily life, yet its meaning, application, and boundaries are not always fully understood, consistently taught, or uniformly respected; and
Whereas, Failures to respect consent can manifest in a range of harmful behaviors, including sexual violence, harassment, coercion in the workplace, and other forms of pressure or manipulation that undermine an individual’s ability to freely choose; and
Whereas, Sexual assault and abuse are often rooted in misunderstandings or disregard of consent, including situations in which individuals are unable or unwilling to accept rejection or attempt to maliciously influence another person’s right to autonomy; and
Whereas, Increasing awareness and education around consent is essential to preventing harm, promoting respectful relationships, and reinforcing the principle that all individuals have the right to bodily autonomy and self-determination; and
Whereas, Public education campaigns and designated awareness observances have been effective tools for advancing understanding of critical social issues and fostering cultural change; and
Whereas, Designating Consent Awareness Week in the City of New York during the third week of September would provide an annual opportunity to promote education, dialogue, and community engagement around the importance of consent in all aspects of life; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares Consent Awareness Week in the City of New York during the third week of September.
CMB
LS#24243
5/21/26