Relationships, Consent & Sexuality Peer Education

The Student Peer Advocates for Relationships, Consent and Sexuality (SPARCS) promote sexual health and prevent sexual violence through workshops, events, and peer outreach that empower students to make informed, respectful choices. SPARCS are not advocates or a response resource for interpersonal violence.

SPARCS are a team of Towson University students dedicated to fostering a campus culture of respect, consent and holistic sexual well-being. SPARCS brings together the former SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness Group) and SAPE (Sexual Assault Prevention Educators) peer education programs to offer a unified, holistic approach to student wellness and prevention. 

By uniting SHAG’s focus on sexual health and pleasure with SAPE’s expertise in consent, boundaries and violence prevention, SPARCS reflects how these topics are deeply interconnected in real life. We aim to provide relevant, medically accurate information and encourage authentic, stigma-free conversations across the full spectrum of sexuality, safety and respect. 

Topics Discussed in Our Workshops  

  • Values and Sexual Decision-Making — How personal values shape choices around intimacy and relationships. 
  • Consent and Communication — Practicing active, ongoing consent and healthy, assertive communication. 
  • Pleasure and Body Autonomy — Centering comfort, curiosity and mutual respect in all forms of intimacy.  
  • Safer Sex and STI Prevention — Understanding transmission, testing and protection (condoms, PrEP/PEP, vaccines). 
  • Contraceptive Options — Exploring birth control methods and emergency contraception. 
  • Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships — Recognizing red and green flags and managing conflict respectfully. 
  • Bystander Intervention — Using the 5 D’s to step in safely and prevent harm. 
  • Supporting Survivors and Community Resources — Listening, believing and connecting peers to resources. 

We'd love to be a part of your next meeting or event! 

Request a Workshop 

Want to join SPARCS? Complete an application! 

Apply

Applying to be a SPARCS Peer Educator 

To be part of SPARCS, you must: 

  • complete required training to build foundational skills in sexual health, consent education, and violence prevention
  • attend regular meetings (Fridays 1:30 – 3 p.m.) for continued learning, team building and program planning
  • commit 10-15 hours per semester to facilitate workshops, outreach events and campus engagement for at least two semesters
  • promote a culture of well-being and prevention by modeling healthy decision-making, safer sex practices and respect for boundaries
  • provide inclusive, medically accurate and stigma-free information about sexual health, contraception and safer sex resources
  • communicate professionally with peers, students, faculty and staff
  • maintain personal well-being by practicing self-care and recognizing emotional limits when engaging in sensitive topics

Prior extensive knowledge of sexual health and/or sexual violence prevention is not a prerequisite to be in SPARCS. All Towson University students, with at least two semesters left, are welcome and encouraged to apply.  

You may apply at any time of year and your application will be kept on file until we have openings. We typically conduct interviews in the spring semester and new SAPEs begin the following fall.