Sexual Assault Dr. Elena Klaw Psyc 190

Goals Film Clip: The Invisible War Film Clip: The Invisible War Discussion activity: consensual sex Discussion activity: consensual sex Sexual assault definition Sexual assault definition Force and non consent Force and non consent Rape myths Rape myths Military actions Military actions

Discussion Activity Consensual Sex vs. Sexual Assault Consensual Sex vs. Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault CA Law: Rape - intercourse with force/threat of force, no consent CA Law: Rape - intercourse with force/threat of force, no consent Sexual battery - Sexual touch/conduct with force/threat of force, no consent Sexual battery - Sexual touch/conduct with force/threat of force, no consent Can refer to both under sexual assault Can refer to both under sexual assault = Sex without consent = Sex without consent

Force & Non - Consent FORCE: FORCE: prevent from leaving prevent from leaving holding down holding down restraining restraining verbal threats verbal threats isolating isolating continue to touch continue to touch weapon weapon NON CONSENT: NON CONSENT: intoxicated intoxicated unconscious unconscious sleeping sleeping statutory statutory disability disability said “no”, “not now..” said “no”, “not now..” Crying, screaming Crying, screaming Trying to resist Trying to resist

Rape Myths “ She asked for it ” “ She asked for it ” “ Men can ’ t help themselves… ” “ Men can ’ t help themselves… ” Effects Effects increase self blame increase self blame reduce likelihood of help seeking reduce likelihood of help seeking add to confusion & shame add to confusion & shame deny abuser ’ s responsibility deny abuser ’ s responsibility

Needed Actions from the Military Military Sexual Assault needs to be recognized as an epidemic affecting between 9.5 and 33% of military women, and 1-3% of military men. Military Sexual Assault needs to be recognized as an epidemic affecting between 9.5 and 33% of military women, and 1-3% of military men. Hypermasculinity (& homophobia) must be challenged: 99% of perpetrators are men; rigid male gender roles and rape myths are associated with sexual assault Hypermasculinity (& homophobia) must be challenged: 99% of perpetrators are men; rigid male gender roles and rape myths are associated with sexual assault Women need to be represented in leadership roles Women need to be represented in leadership roles Challenge peer pressure around substance abuse Challenge peer pressure around substance abuse Training on appropriate vs. inappropriate use of violence Training on appropriate vs. inappropriate use of violence Train on self defense and reporting Train on self defense and reporting Continue restricted confidential reporting for care Continue restricted confidential reporting for care Prevent victim blaming investigations Prevent victim blaming investigations Continue and evaluate screening for MST for all vets Continue and evaluate screening for MST for all vets