Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence

• One in four girls and 1 in six boys will be a victim of sexual violence before the age of 18.

• Teens are twice as likely to be victimized as adults.

• 1.65 million American teenagers were victims of violent crime in 2002.

• Each year an estimated 4000 incidents of rape or other types of sexual assault occur in public schools across the country.

• 8 out of 10 teenagers are assaulted by someone they know.

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any sexual penetration without your permission or consent. Sexual penetration refers to vaginal, oral and anal intercourse. This can include touching or penetrating the vagina, mouth, or anus of the victim; touching the penis of the victim; or forcing the victim to touch the attacker’s vagina, penis, or anus. Touching can mean with a hand, finger, mouth, penis, or just about anything else, including objects. It can occur between any two people, with or without force, at any time, and at any place.

What is Force?

Force can be physical, like hitting, punching, slapping, kicking, or using a gun, knife, or any other weapon. It can be verbal, making threats like “if you don’t something worse will happen.” Force can be emotional, refusing to take “no” for an answer or saying “you would if you really loved me.” Force can be taking advantage of someone who is drunk, high, on drugs, passed out, too young or asleep. Force can also involve a group of people ganging up on someone.

Don’t Some People Ask For It?

• No one asks to be raped.
• It does not matter what a person wears or how a person acts.
• It doesn’t matter if a person has had sex in the past.
• It doesn’t matter if a person said “yes” and then changes their mind.
• A person has the right to say no at any time for any time for any reason.

How Do I Know If “Yes” Means “Yes?”

If you’re not 100% sure, ask questions. Ask yourself and the person you’re with if this is what you both really want. Make sure you listen to the other person. Make sure nobody feels pressured and both people have said “yes.”

What Is Consent?

(www.austin-safeplace.org)

• Consent means to give your permission by saying “yes.”
• Consent is based on choice.
• Consent is active not passive.
• Consent is possible only when there is equal power.
• Giving in because of fear is not consent.
• Deception or manipulation eliminates the possibility of consent.
• If you can’t say “no” comfortably, then “yes” has no meaning.
• Giggling, changing the subject, or squirming away does not communicate a “yes” or a “no”

What If No One Says “No?”

• If someone says “Wait,” “Maybe” or “I’m not sure” – STOP!
• If you’re being told “Wait,” “Maybe” or “I’m not sure” – LISTEN!
• If the other person tries to push you away or suddenly seems different – STOP!
• If the other person is under the influence or passed out – STOP!
• If the other person isn’t sure… if you’re not sure – DON’T DO ANYTHING ELSE! STOP!

Ask questions. Make sure you understand what the other person means!