Sexual Violence Prevention Family Life & Sexual Health

What is Sexual Violence?  Sexual Violence is an umbrella term that refers to a number of different acts or behaviors.  When you hear the term sexual assault or sexual violence, what comes to mind?

Why is it important to learn about sexual violence?  There is a strong link between dating and sexual violence and teen pregnancy. Recent studies indicate that at least half of all teen pregnancies occur from adult men. The sexual partners of teen women are often not teens themselves, but men 4- years older – with one fifth being 6+ years older. 60% of girls who have had intercourse before age 15 report having had a forced sexual experience (and 74% before age 14).

What is Sexual Violence?  Rape – Forced sex or sex without consent.  Child Sexual Abuse – Includes rape of a child, which is when an adult has sex with a child or teen.  Voyeurism – When a person spies on someone changing, showering, or having sex, including videotaping.

What is Sexual Violence?  Child Pornography/ Sexual Exploitation of Children – When a person creates, possesses, or distributes pictures or content with naked children or depicting children in sexual acts, including “sexting”.  Incest  Attempted Rape

What is Sexual Violence?  Any unwanted sexual touch  Public Indecency/Flashing/Exposing oneself  Sexual Misconduct  Sexual Harassment  Communication with a minor for immoral purposes (sexting)

Coercion  A simple definition for sexual assault is “coercion.”  Coercion is the use of emotional manipulation to persuade someone to do something they may not want to do.  What are some ways that you think coercion can be used in the case of sexual assault?

Coercion  Tactics someone might use in order to coerce someone into doing something: Physical Force Manipulation Abusing a position of power Older person taking advantage of a younger person Drugs & Alcohol Other ways?

Coercion  Unlike what many people believe, sexual assault, including rape, does not usually involve extreme physical force or injury. Often emotional manipulation, coercion, or alcohol and drugs are used as tools to assault.

Laws involving sexual assault  When two people have oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or any type of sexual touching, it may be legal or illegal depending on two important factors: The age of the two people involved Whether or not there was consent given

Washington State Laws  WA state law says that: “consent means that at the time of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact, there are actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.”  The law specifies that there are some people who cannot give consent – anyone who is intoxicated, mentally incapacitated, unconscious, or asleep.

Washington State Laws  Laws involving age differences: If a person is under 12, and the older person is more than two years (24 months) older, and they have sex, it is considered rape of a child. Consent does not matter. See handout…