Contrast the myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes pertaining to sexual assault and sexual abuse with what is known based on law and research. �
Design safe plans for the prevention of sexual assault and abuse that include appropriate resources and needed skills.
9.ICR.3.1 & 9.ICR.3.2
Essential Question: How does being able to analyze and use your knowledge about sexual assault/ consent help when encountering difficult sexual situations?
What is Consent?
MYTH
A person might not fight back for any number of reasons, including fear or incapacitation. Silence or the absence of resistance does not mean that the victim is giving consent. Assailants are not looking for a fight and they use many forms of coercion, threats, and manipulation to rape. Alcohol and other drugs such as Rohypnol and GHB are often used to incapacitate victims.
People who don't fight back physically have not been sexually assaulted.
MYTH
Alcohol is a weapon that some perpetrators use to control their victims and render them helpless. Assailants may encourage their victim to use alcohol or identify an individual that is already drunk. Alcohol is not the cause of rape it is just a tool perpetrators use.
It’s not sexual assault if it happens after drinking or taking drugs.
MYTH
Orgasm does not mean that someone "enjoyed" the sex, or that they wanted it. Orgasm can be a natural biological reaction that someone can’t control; it does not mean that forced or coerced sexual activity was consensual. Often this is used to silence the survivor.
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If a person has an orgasm when sexually assaulted, then it is not sexual assault.
MYTH
Women do not lie about being raped with anymore frequency than men or women lie about any other crime. Survivors do not normally lie about being raped. Sexual assault is the most under-reported crime of all according to National Crime Victimization Survey.
Statistical studies indicate false reports make up two percent or less of the reported cases of sexual assault. This figure is approximately the same for other types of crimes. Only one out of 10 rapes are actually reported. Sexual Assault by someone the victim knows are the least likely to be reported.
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Women lie about being raped or use it to get even with their partner.
FACT
It is important to have a plan in place to protect ourselves but we also need to be aware that it is NEVER the victim's fault if they are assaulted.
You can do everything you can to protect yourself from sexual assault and still get sexually assaulted.
MYTH
Rape and sexual assault are about power and control, not about sex. Rapists use sexual assault as a weapon to dominate, humiliate and harm others.
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Rape is motivated by a desire for sexual gratification.
MYTH
Sexual assault is a crime, never simply a mistake. It does not occur due to a miscommunication between two people. Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact obtained without consent through the use of force, threat of force, intimidation, or coercion.
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Sexual assault is often the result of miscommunication or a mistake.
MYTH
Rape and sexual assault are crimes of violence and control that stem from a person's determination to exercise power over another. Neither provocative dress nor promiscuous behavior are invitations for unwanted sexual activity. Forcing someone to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault, regardless of the way that person dresses or acts.
Victims provoke sexual assaults when they dress provocatively or act in a promiscuous manner.
MYTH
There are no statistics that support the idea that lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals are more likely to commit sexual assault or be sex offenders than heterosexuals. In fact, sex offenders are disproportionately likely to be heterosexual men.
Men are only sexually assaulted by homosexual men. Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals rape more or are more likely to be sex offenders than heterosexuals.
MYTH
Men can be, and are, sexually assaulted. Sexual assault of men is thought to be greatly underreported. 1 in 4 men in the U.S. experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime.
Men cannot be sexually assaulted.
Take 2
Rewrite the scenarios to demonstrate consent and planning for a safer night out.