Did You Know?
1 in 10 teens reported that a dating partner kissed, touched, or forced them to have sexual contact against their will.
43% of all dating violence incidents occurs to victims 15-24 years old.
Most cases of sexualized assault go unreported because victims fear they will not be believed and no action will be taken.
Untie Your Tongue
Young people in our community are starting to speak up about sexualized violence. They are fed up! Silence about sex and silence about sexualized assault perpetuates violence in our community. Talking thins the Threat if we reach out to the right supports.
This year for sexualized assault prevention month we are highlighting youth stories and experiences. What do you want to tell your community about consent? How do you want the adults in your world to take action?
As a community, we must do better. Young people need skills and tools to navigate healthy relationships and sex. Victims must be believed, and justice must be delivered.
Get involved in this year's campaign. Participate in the video contest and follow us on Instagram @consent_crew
Most sexualized assault that happens in youth is a result of a lack of sex and consent education.
It is human nature to connect intimately with others - whether sexually or non sexually. Learning the art of consent in all of our relationships supports people to have healthy and respectful connections with others.
So how do we help our teens to avoid becoming a statistic?
- Talk openly and often about sex and relationships in your home. What makes a good partner? How do you initiate sex? How do you say no? What should you do if you feel unsafe? How do you deal with rejection?
- Role model healthy consent and emotional management - help your teen to assess and share their feelings and communicate their needs. Show them how to do it by doing it yourself.
- Nip “locker room talk” in the bud. We need to model how to talk about our crushes as whole people. If you overhear a kid say, “She’s a hot piece of ass” you could say, “Hey, I think she’s more than just an ass!” You can keep it jokey, and they’ll roll their eyes at you, but it'll sink in.
- Make sure they know who to report to and how - check out our Get Support Page for more info.
While teaching these concepts are effective in decreasing the prevalence of sexual violence and protecting young people from becoming victims or perpetrators, there is so many other positive benefits. It’s also a proactive way to provide young people with the tools they need to have healthy relationships throughout their lives – with their family members, friends, peers, and future romantic partners.
The ripple effect of teaching consent now
Each year in Canada, it is estimated there are 600,000 sexualized assaults. 99% of sexualized violence is perpetrated by cisgender men while victims are of all genders, and in particular from marginalized populations. In the Yukon, the rates are 3.5 times higher than the national average.
- 60% of sexual abuse/assault victims are under the age of 17
- Almost 70% of Canadians do NOT understand what it means to give consent in sexual situations.
- 1 in 10 teens reported that a dating partner kissed, touched, or forced them to have sexual contact against their will
- 1 in 10 students say they have committed sexual violence
It’s one of a parent’s worst fears and it can be easier to think “Well, not my child!”
As parents, it is easier to believe that our child will not become a victim…or a perpetrator of sexualized assault.
But as parents, you can do even better – there are active and simple steps you can take to protect your children.
By teaching your kids - at all ages and development stages - about consent, boundaries, empathy, and respect, you can give them the skills they need to have healthy relationships, recognize and leave unhealthy relationships, and increased self-confidence.
Let’s choose to empower our kids with the right to say No, to listen to their own bodies, and to respect others when they say No.