FLASH Lesson Eight: Coercion and Consent

Announcements

• AlcoholEDU: Parts 2, 3, and 4 to be completed by March 7

Agenda

• Do Now
• Objectives
• Sexual Attitude Survey Results
• Relevance/Key Point
• Definitions
• Laws
• Power Imbalance and Age Differences
• Coercion and Consent Scenarios

Student Learning Objectives

1. Define sexual consent, coercion, and sexual assault.
2. Identify techniques used to coerce or pressure someone into having sex.
3. Explain the wrongness of tricking, threatening, or coercing another person into sexual activity.
4. Summarize the right of individuals to refuse sexual contact.
5. Explain the responsibility of individuals to verify that all sexual contact is consensual.

Relevance

• Understanding sexual assault, coercion, and consent is crucial because everyone has the right to refuse sexual contact without any obligation to engage in sexual activities.

Key Concepts

• Coercion: Using manipulation to persuade someone to do something they don't want to do, such as sexual acts.

  • Tactics include:
    • Manipulation
    • Abusing power positions
    • Age disparities
    • Influence of drugs and alcohol

• Sexual Assault: Coercing or forcing someone into sexual contact.

• Consent: Permission or agreement to engage in sexual activity.

  • Silence, lack of resistance, and unclear communication are NOT consent.
  • Intoxicated individuals or those under 16 cannot give consent.
  • "Yes means YES" is the standard in states like California and New York.

Affirmative Consent Standards

• States: California ("Yes means yes"), New York ("Enough is enough")
• Universities: U of Minnesota, Texas A&M, U of Virginia, Indiana, Stanford, Yale, U of Illinois, UNH

Sexual Assault, Coercion & Consent

• Sexual assault often involves emotional manipulation, coercion, or substances rather than extreme physical force.

Sexual Assault Laws

• Age of consent in Massachusetts and conditions under which consent cannot be legally given.

Power Imbalances & Age Differences

• Legal implications of age differences in sexual relationships.
• Discussion on why it is inappropriate for older individuals to engage sexually with much younger people.

Scenarios

1. Desiree and Naomi: Highlights issues of consent when intoxicated.
2. Jamal and Leila: Focuses on respecting a partner's refusal to consent.
3. Rob and Elena: Examines consent within existing relationships.
4. Tyra and Monica: Addresses understanding consent through body language.
5. Coach Ciera: Explores inappropriate relationships and power dynamics.

Lesson Summary

• The lesson covered sexual assault, coercion, and consent through various scenarios to understand what consent looks like in different situations.
• Emphasizes the importance of this knowledge for personal safety and preventing harm to others.