Pre-Test About Sexual Assault

Transcription

1 Pre-Test About Sexual Assault Running Time: 1 hour Materials: Flipchart and flipchart stand/chalkboard, markers/chalk; Handout A: Sexual Assault Awareness Survey Handout B: Sexual Assault Awareness Answers Target Audience: Can be used for awareness-raising with various audiences/ participants The Pre-Test About Sexual Assault session can be used to introduce a training on sexual assault. This session is intended to be used to identify gaps in participants general knowledge about sexual assault and as the basis for modifying subsequent training sessions. If participants are already knowledgeable about sexual assault, the facilitator may wish to omit this session and, instead, begin with the session What is Sexual Assault? Introduction Facilitator: Everyone has the right to live safely from sexual violence, and the law should protect victims from all forms of sexual assault. As a way to begin the discussion about sexual assault, participants will test their knowledge of the issue by answering a sexual assault awareness survey and discussing their answers. Learning Objectives: Facilitator: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: - Identify their existing knowledge about sexual assault. - Discuss sexual assault in a non-defensive manner. - Describe some of the common characteristics of sexual assault situations. Activity 1: Ice Breaker Prepare a flipchart sheet with a continuum scale numbered 1-10 prior to the exercise. 1. Facilitator introduces the topic, highlighting the following ideas: People view sexual assault in very different ways. They often have preconceived ideas of the victim and the perpetrator, as well as the circumstances that constitute sexual assault. Often, however, these perceptions are based on stereotypes. While they may be true in some cases, these stereotypes do not represent the majority of cases or the reality of the situation. In addition, there are many different definitions of sexual assault, which perpetuate general uncertainties and misunderstandings. Because of this, and as a way of introducing our training course, we will start by examining how much you already know about sexual assault. 2. Facilitator displays the continuum scale and gives the participants the following instructions:

2 Consider how much you know about sexual assault issues and the laws that address it. In a moment, I will ask you to rate your sexual assault knowledge level on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 means you lack any knowledge and 10 means you know everything there is to know about sexual assault. 3. Facilitator asks participants to think where they are on the scale and place a check under the appropriate number on the flipchart. 4. Facilitator leads a discussion using the following questions to guide the group: What does the scale indicate about this group s sexual assault awareness? How much exposure have you had to information about sexual assault in the last year (through mass media or otherwise)? Have you been engaged in discussions about the issue before today s session? What impact has this information or discussions had on you? Activity 2: Sexual Assault Awareness 1. Facilitator distributes copies of the Handout A: Sexual Assault Awareness Survey and allows participants minutes to answer the questions. 2. Facilitator reviews the survey question by question, leading a discussion about participants replies. Do not give the participants the correct answers until they have had a chance to debate with each other. See the answer sheet for information about answers. 3. Facilitator distributes copies of the Handout B: Sexual Assault Awareness Answers and allows participants time to check their replies against the answers and discuss the differences. Summary and Closing: Facilitator closes by asking each participant to share how they feel about exploring sexual assault in a more in-depth manner. Questions and Comments: Facilitator should end the session by asking if there are remaining questions or comments related to this material. Keeping track of feedback will allow the facilitator to make useful changes to future presentations. It would be helpful to ask participants to generate a list of questions they have about sexual assault. Facilitator should record these questions and make sure all of them are answered by the end of the training workshop.

3 HANDOUT A Sexual Assault Awareness Survey Check as many answers as you think are correct. 1. When I think of sexual assault: I m not sure what it is. The definition is confusing and unclear to me. I understand the behavior it defines. 2. Sexual assault is: Sexual contact that uses force or coercion. Sexual contact without the victim s consent. A variety of acts, including pornography, stripping, prostitution, sexual harassment and sexual abuse. Forced intercourse only. 3. Sexual intercourse without the woman s consent is permissible if: The woman was drunk or on drugs. The perpetrator was drunk or on drugs. The woman initiated sexual touching. The woman is at least eighteen years of age. 4. Sexual assault can involve which of the following: A man sexually assaulting a man A man sexually assaulting a woman A woman sexually assaulting a man A woman sexually assaulting a woman Several individuals sexually assaulting another individual. 5. Perpetrators who sexually assault women are usually: Strangers who act on impulse. Crazy or mentally ill. Doing it only for sexual gratification. Normal-looking, socially-skilled and trusted in their communities. 6. An individual who could sexually assault may be: A teacher. A partner. A family member. A spouse. A prison guard. A soldier. A neighbor. A friend. 7. Victims of sexual assault: Can be sexually assaulted by their spouse or partner. Are always young, attractive girls who dress and act provocatively. Are women of every age, race, religion, sexual orientation, social status and occupation. Often lie about the sexual assault for revenge.

4 8. Sexual assault can take place: In refugee camps. In prisons or other places of custody. In the victim s car or home. In times of warfare and armed conflict. In dark alleys and isolated streets. 9. Victims of sexual assault should take the following actions: Call a crisis line. Get medical attention. Report to the police. Seek counseling and assistance. Do not shower or bathe. 10. Women who are sexually assaulted: May suffer from physical injuries and mental distress only. May suffer from physical injuries, mental distress, behavioral changes, reproductive problems and chronic conditions. Experience short-term consequences that disappear eventually. Usually show bruises and torn clothing as a result of the sexual assault. May not show any physical signs of injury.

5 HANDOUT B Sexual Assault Awareness Answers 1. This question is intended to help people think about their knowledge of sexual assault. 2. The only correct answer is sexual contact without the victim s consent. While force or coercion may be present during sexual assault, they are not necessary for sexual assault to occur. Pornography, stripping, prostitution, and sexual abuse may constitute forms of sexual violence, not sexual assault. 3. All answers are incorrect. Sexual intercourse without a women s consent is never permissible. It is sexual assault. 4. All the answers are correct. Anyone can be a perpetrator, just as anyone can be a victim of sexual assault. However, perpetrators are most commonly male, and victims are most commonly female. When more than one individual sexually assaults another, it is gang rape. 5. The correct answer is normal-looking, socially-skilled and trusted in their communities. Perpetrators are not usually crazy, nor are they sexually starved. Most perpetrators are someone who the victim knows, such as a neighbor, acquaintance, friend or family member. 6. All of these answers are correct. Anyone, no matter their relationship to the victim, can sexually assault. 7. The correct answers are Can be sexually assaulted by their spouse or partner and Are women of every age, race, religion, sexual orientation, social status and occupation. Every woman is a potential victim, and any indivi dual, including a spouse or significant other, is capable of sexually assaulting another. 8. All of the answers are correct, but the least likely to occur is In dark alleys and isolated streets. Women who are living in refugee camps, prisons and through armed conflict are highly vulnerable to sexual assault. Many women are sexually assaulted by someone they know, and it often takes place in her home or car. 9. All of the answers are correct. Women who are sexually assaulted should try to seek help and medical attention immediately, if possible. They may be pregnant, have a sexually transmitted disease or have suffered some injury. Not showering or bathing will help to preserve evidence of the crime. In addition, reporting to the police is a difficult, but important decision the woman will have to make. 10. The only correct answers are May suffer from physical injuries, mental distress, behavioral changes, reproductive problems and chronic conditions and May not show any physical signs of injury. Every woman who experiences a sexual assault is at risk of experiencing consequences in all of these areas, over the short-term and long-term. However, women who are sexually assaulted will not always have physical injuries and torn clothing the perpetrator may not need to use physical force to have non-consensual sexual contact.