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NAME:Brittany TriLESSON:Sexual AssaultSOURCE:Idea adapted from Sexual Assault Lesson Plan, available at . Myths from , . Examples of healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships from minutesGOALSDebunk common myths about sexual assaultLearn how the law has evolved to keep up with society’s understanding of sexual assaultOBJECTIVESKnowledge objectives: as a result of this class, students will be better able to:Know the law on sexual assault (including statutory rape)Distinguish between facts and myths surrounding sexual assaultHow the law evolves with societal expectations Skills objectives: as a result of this class, students will be better able to:Distinguish between signs of an unhealthy relationship and an abusive relationshipApply sexual assault laws to new situations Attitude objectives: as a result of this class, students will feel:Equipped to respond to common myths about sexual assault Empowered as citizens who can have a role in changing the law MATERIALSSexual assault myths and facts handoutHealthy, unhealthy, and abusive notecards Whiteboard markersTapeCLASSROOM METHODStart with disclaimer: Today’s class will be about a serious topic that can be hard for some people to discuss. We will be talking about sexual assault, a topic that is sensitive and could affect any of us on a personal level. As such, please remember to be very respectful and aware of what you are saying throughout our discussion today.Activity 1 (20-25 minutes): Pass out myths and facts worksheet. Give students 5 minutes to fill out the sheet. Go over the answers with the class. See attached answer key. Ask to vote for each one: did they say it was a fact? Myth? Not decided? Ask for students in each group to give their reasons. Then go over the right answer and applicable law using the answer key. Make sure to check in with students after providing the answer to make sure they all understand why that is the answer. Remember to be sensitive when giving the right answers, explain that this is a complicated subject and the current standards around sexual assault are evolving.Discuss California’s affirmative consent law as an example of how the law evolves (5-10 minutes)Has anyone heard of this? Explain: lawmakers recognized some of the issues we have been talking about (ex: lack of enthusiastic consent to engage in sexual activities, the involvement of alcohol plays in consent) and created a new law to address that. The new law applies to universities requires that both parties to say “yes” affirmatively before engaging in sexual acts. Lack of protest does not mean consent, and silence does not mean consent. The consent can be revoked at any time. This law changes the typical standard of “no means no” to instead, “yes means yes.” What do you think? What does this address? Any potential issues?Potential issue: Consent does not have to be verbal, it can be conveyed in a nonverbal way, but lack of resistance does not count as consent. What types of nonverbal cues would count as consent? (Nodding? Taking clothes off? Reciprocating kisses or other sexual activity?)Potential issue: Consent cannot be obtained if the person accused knew or reasonably should have known that the victim/accuser was too drunk or under the influence of other drugs to be able to understand and give consent. When should a person reasonably know someone else is too drunk to consent? What type of behavior or evidence would show the victim was too drunk to consent? (Knowledge of how much they had to drink – how many drinks is too many, 3, 4, 5? Slurring? Falling?) Should the standard be the same as it would be for a DUI? If you are too drunk to drive are you too drunk to consent? (generally a .08 is considered pretty low, and can be reached with one drink, driving requires a person to be extremely alert and attentive, does engaging in sexual activity require the same?)Activity 2: (15-20 minutes) Wrap-up conversation about domestic violence/sexual assault: healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationship exercise. Make sure to have printed and cut out the cards for the activity before the class period. Move over to the whiteboard. Split board into 3 large columns. Write at the top of each column “healthy” “unhealthy” and “abusive”Explain to the students intimate relationships are very important, but it is also very important that both people respect each other and treat each other well. Explain that it is important to have a healthy relationship and that they should learn to recognize the signs of unhealthy and abusive relationships. Also explain that an unhealthy relationship can lead to an abusive relationship, and learning to recognize the signs can help them or someone they know in the future because abusive relationships are dangerous and destructive, on physical or emotional levels. Remind them that anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, male or female, and anyone can be the abuser in a domestic relationship, male or female. Also remind them that abuse can be both physical or emotional, and both types of abuse are just as damaging to the victim.Handout note cards with a statement on it to each student. If there are not enough note cards for the number of students in the class pair the students up and give each pair 1 card.Ask students to read their cards and decide if they think the card has an example of a “healthy,” “unhealthy” or “abusive” relationship. If they are in pairs, tell them to discuss what their card says with their partner. Once they have made a decision, ask them to grab a piece of tape and then tape their note card on the whiteboard under the category that they decided it falls under: “healthy,” “unhealthy,” or “abusive.”Gather as a group in front of the whiteboard to discuss and debrief: how are unhealthy relationships different from abusive ones? (abusive relationships are dangerous, and should be ended immediately. Signs of an unhealthy relationship serve as red flags, recognizing these red flags are important, they signal that the relationship needs to be worked on, for both people involved, otherwise it might need to be ended)Go through the note cards on the board. Use the answer key to make sure that each card was placed under the correct category. If a card was not placed in the right category ask the students if they agree with the placement of the card. Open it up to discussion of where the card should be placed and why. After the discussion move the card to the correct category.After all the cards match the answer key, let the students lead the discussion. Ask them to look at all the statements on the board and ask them if there any statements placed in a category that surprises you? Why? Ask students “Why did you put your notecard where you did?”Ask the students if they have any lingering questions about DV/sexual assault. Thank them for behaving in a respectful manner and handling such a sensitive subject so well.EVALUATIONParticipation in class, including both activities; respectful conversation with peers on a difficult subject Handout 1Sexual Assault Myths & FactsDirections: Go through the worksheet below, read the statements and then put a check mark in either the fact or the myth column.FactMyth1. People who don't fight back physically have not been sexually assaulted.2. If a husband has sex with his wife without her consent, it is not legally considered rape.3. It’s not sexual assault if it happens after drinking or taking drugs.4. If a man ejaculated when he is assaulted, then it is not really sexual assault (this can also go for anyone who has an orgasm when s/he is sexually assaulted).5. Women lie about being raped or use it to get even with their boyfriends.6. Rape is motivated by a desire for sexual gratification.7. 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.8. Men cannot be sexually assaulted.9. Sexual assault is often the result of miscommunication or a mistake.10. Victims provoke sexual assaults when they dress provocatively or act in a promiscuous manner.Sexual Assault Myths & FactsANSWER KEYFactMyth1. People who don't fight back physically have not been sexually assaulted.XFACT: 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 are often used to incapacitate victims.2. If a husband has sex with his wife without her consent, it is not legally considered rape.XFACT: Regardless of the marital or social relationship between the assailant and victim, if an individual does not consent to sexual activity, he or she is being sexually assaulted. In fact, 14% of women are victims of rape committed by their husband.3. It’s not sexual assault if it happens after drinking or taking drugs.XFACT: Alcohol is a weapon that some perpetrators use to control their victim and render them helpless.? As part of their plan, an assailant may encourage the victim to use alcohol, or identify an individual who is already drunk.? Alcohol is not a cause of rape; it is only one of many tools that perpetrators use4. If a man ejaculated when he is assaulted, then it is not really sexual assault (this can also go for anyone who has an orgasm when s/he is sexually assaulted).XFACT:? 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. 5. Women lie about being raped or use it to get even with their boyfriends.XFACT: 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.6. Rape is motivated by a desire for sexual gratification.XFACT: 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. 7. 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.XFACT:? 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. 8. Men cannot be sexually assaulted.XFACT: Men can be, and are, sexually assaulted.? Current statistics indicate that one in six men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime.? Sexual assault of men is thought to be greatly underreported.9. Sexual assault is often the result of miscommunication or a mistake.XFACT: 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.10. Victims provoke sexual assaults when they dress provocatively or act in a promiscuous manner.XFACT: 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.You feel safe and strong enough to tell your partner how you really feelYou feel awkward telling your partner how you really feelYou are afraid to tell your partner how you really feel because you fear getting put down or threatened.You respect and listen to each other even when you have differing opinions on a topic.Your partner ignores you and does not respect your opinions when you disagree.Your partner treats you with disrespect and ignores or makes fun of your ideas and feelingsYou can have disagreements with your partner and still talk respectfully to each other. You resolve your disagreements.Your disagreements often turn into fights.You are afraid to disagree because you do not want to unleash your partner’s anger and violence.Both of you can be honest about your feelings about physical affection and sexual intimacy. Neither of you feels pressured to do anything you do not want to do.You are embarrassed to say how you feel because you think your partner may not listen or care.Your partner ignores your needs and wants. Your partner pushes you into situations that make you uncomfortable, frighten, or degrade you.You trust each other. You are comfortable with your partner spending time with other people.Your partner feels jealous every time you talk to others. You feel jealous every time your partner talks to others.Your partner accuses you of flirting or cheating on them, and orders you not to talk to certain people.You can each spend time alone and consider this a healthy part of your relationship.You think there may be something wrong if you want to do things without your partner. Your partner tries to keep you to him/herself.Your partner does not allow you to spend time doing things on your own. Your partner sees this as a challenge or threat to your relationship.Answer Key: Healthy, Unhealthy, Abusive note cardsYou feel safe and strong enough to tell your partner how you really feelHealthyYou feel awkward telling your partner how you really feelUnhealthyYou are afraid to tell your partner how you really feel because you fear getting put down or threatened.AbusiveYou respect and listen to each other even when you have differing opinions on a topic.HealthyYour partner ignores you and does not respect your opinions when you disagree.UnhealthyYour partner treats you with disrespect and ignores or makes fun of your ideas and feelingsAbusiveYou can have disagreements with your partner and still talk respectfully to each other. You resolve your disagreements.HealthyYour disagreements often turn into fights.UnhealthyYou are afraid to disagree because you do not want to unleash your partner’s anger and violence.AbusiveBoth of you can be honest about your feelings about physical affection and sexual intimacy. Neither of you feels pressured to do anything you do not want to do.HealthyYou are embarrassed to say how you feel because you think your partner may not listen or care.UnhealthyYour partner ignores your needs and wants. Your partner pushes you into situations that make you uncomfortable, frighten, or degrade you.AbusiveYou trust each other. You are comfortable with your partner spending time with other people.HealthyYour partner feels jealous every time you talk to others. You feel jealous every time your partner talks to others.UnhealthyYour partner accuses you of flirting or cheating on them, and orders you not to talk to certain people.AbusiveYou can each spend time alone and consider this a good part of your relationship.HealthyYou think there may be something wrong if you want to do things without your partner. Your partner tries to keep you to him/herself.UnhealthyYour partner does not allow you to spend time doing things on your own. Your partner sees this as a challenge or threat to your relationship.Abusive ................
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