Sexual Assault Education
Presented by Project PEACE
Developed by the Sexual Assault
Centre of Edmonton
Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton
(SACE)
Public Education
Counselling (all ages, genders)
24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Line
www.sace.ab.ca
Ground Rules
Respect
Confidentiality
Participation
Laugh
Ask Questions
Why Does This Matter?
1/3 women are
sexually
assaulted in
their lifetime
Okay, but I’m a guy!
1/6 men are
sexually assaulted
in their lifetime
What is Sexual Assault?
Any form of sexual contact without
voluntary consent
This includes forced oral contact (“kissing”),
grabbing, groping, oral-genital contact (“oral
sex”), vaginal penetration and anal
penetration
85% of adults who have been sexually
assaulted know their offender
What is Consent?
A voluntary agreement to
engage in sexual contact
Any “yes” obtained
through manipulation,
pressure, coercion, force
or threats of force is not
consent
Youth and Consent
Age of consent is 16
“Close in Age” clause for 14-15
The oldest a person can be to have sexual contact with a 14
year-old is up to but not including 19
The oldest a person can be to have sexual contact with a 15year-old is up to but not including 20
“Peer experimentation” between 12-13
The oldest a person can be to have sexual contact with a 12year-old is up to but not including 14
The oldest a person can be to have sexual contact with a 13year-old is up to but not including 15
5 Ways Consent
is Not Given
Consent Has Not Been Given If…
It has been given by
someone else
We can only consent for
ourselves – NEVER for others!
Consent Has Not Been Given If…
There is an abuse of power, trust
or authority
Examples?
Consent Has Not Been Given If…
The person has said no, or
implied no, through words or
actions
What are some ways of
saying “no” without using
that word?
Consent Has Not Been Given If…
The person is
incapacitated
Consent Has Not Been Given If…
Person withdraws consent
or changes their mind
Past consent does not
imply future consent
People can always change
their minds
Coercion
Coercion is using words or actions to make
people do things they don’t want to do
Pressure
Guilt
Threats
We know when people don’t
want to do something. It is our
responsibility to accept their
first answer!
Sexual Assault
Myths
“Sexual assault happens because
people are horny”
 It’s about power
and control, NOT
sex and desire
 Sex is used as a
weapon to hurt
another person
“Men can’t be sexually assaulted”
Why do some people
believe this?
Stereotypes:
 men are big and strong
 men always want sex
“People who are assaulted are partly
to blame if they were drunk”
How do we know this isn’t
true?
People are responsible for
their own actions, but NOT
the actions of others
People cannot give voluntary
consent when incapacitated
Sexual Assault Myths
What do myths say to survivors?
What do myths say about
perpetrators?
We perpetuate sexual assault
myths…
…Which means that we have the
power to stop them
Supporting a Friend
 Most people who are
assaulted talk to
their friends about
what happened
 Your job isn’t to “fix”
the pain – just to be
there for them
What to Do and Not Do
 LISTEN! and Believe
 Avoid giving advice; give options
 Let them know it’s not their fault
Know that however your friend feels is okay
Take care of yourself (practice self-care)
Where can you go if you have more
questions? If your friend does?
 Doctor
 Parent
 PACE 780-618-3933
 Teacher/Project
PEACE Worker
 Kids Help Line
1-800-668-6868
 RCMP 780-624-6677
Summary
 Sexual assault is any form of sexual contact
without VOLUNTARY consent
 Consent is not voluntary when:
people consent for others
when someone is abusing a position of power, trust
or authority
when people say no, or imply no
when people are incapacitated
when people change their minds
Summary
While myths tell us differently, we know that the
ONLY person to blame is the offender, NEVER the
survivor. Ever.
Sexual assault is about power & control, not sex &
desire
You can support a friend by listening, believing,
giving them options on what to do
Questions?
Comments?
Sexual Assault Supports
 PACE offers no fee/free counseling to female and male
survivors of sexual assault
 Counseling is available for survivors of all ages
 Services are also available for individuals who are
supporting survivors of sexual assault
 Call 780-618-3933 and ask for an intake worker
 The 24-hour crisis Kids Help Line is available at any time
for support and information. Call 1-800-668-6868.