Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe & Respected: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
As girls grow and learn to value themselves and become more confident, they are better prepared to recognize harmful treatment by peers, as well as situations in which they don’t feel safe. When girls are encouraged to practice respectful assertive communication with each other, they also learn to expect it in return. Rather than tolerating disparaging comments or unwanted attention, they are empowered to speak out and to seek help from safe adults in their lives.
During April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it’s a great time to review how we can help youth navigate healthy relationships.
First, what is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is when someone says or does something of a sexual nature that you don't want or didn't ask for. This could be comments, jokes, touching, or messages online that make you feel uncomfortable.
What are some ways to support and empower youth before facing unwanted actions that feel unsafe and unwanted?
Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe space where youth feel comfortable discussing these topics. Let them know they can come to you with any questions or concerns without fear of judgment.
Discuss Boundaries and Consent: Teach the importance of personal boundaries and the concept of consent. Explain that everyone has the right to say no to any behavior that makes them uncomfortable, and everyone should respect each other's boundaries.
Highlight Different Forms of Harassment: Sexual harassment can take many forms, including verbal, non-verbal, and online. Discuss catcalling, inappropriate jokes or comments, unwanted touching, and cyberbullying as examples.
Discuss Power Dynamics: Help youth understand how power imbalances can contribute to harassment. This could be a teacher/student, boss/employee, or even peer pressure within friend groups.
Teach Bystander Intervention: Encourage youth to speak up if they witness sexual harassment. Discuss strategies they can use to support the victim and safely intervene, such as creating a distraction or seeking help from an authority figure.
Explain Reporting Procedures: Inform them about the reporting procedures in their school, workplace, or community. Let them know who they can turn to for help if they experience or witness harassment.
Promote Empathy and Respect: Emphasize the importance of treating others with empathy and respect. Discuss how our actions can impact others and the responsibility we have to create a safe and inclusive environment.
Address Gender Stereotypes: Talk about how stereotypes about gender can contribute to harassment. Challenge these stereotypes and promote equality and respect for all genders.
Use Age-Appropriate Resources: Utilize books, videos, and interactive activities designed for their age group to reinforce these concepts. There are many resources available online and in libraries focused on educating youth about sexual harassment.
If you are a youth or know someone who is going through this there are several resources available to you for education, support, and reporting regarding sexual harassment:
Remember - discussing sexual assault should be ongoing and part of a broader conversation about healthy relationships, boundaries, and respect. By equipping youth with knowledge and tools to navigate these situations, we can work towards creating a culture where sexual harassment is not tolerated.