Jonah Patel
Sexual assault is a pervasive issue, with approximately 10–30% of men perpetrating sexual assault during college. Despite this, it is underreported, and victims are often blamed and morally denigrated. A study examining the mediating role of beliefs about both active and passive consent in the prospective associations between sexual assault (SA) risk factors and coercive, incapacitated, and forcible attempted/completed SA among college men found that prevention programs should include a focus on reducing SA risk factors, clarifying definitions of consent, and improving sexual communication. Another study found that repeat assaulters exhibited more callous attitudes toward women and were more likely to have histories of adolescent delinquency, while single assaulters often described the assault as a result of inexperience or misperceptions of consent. These findings highlight the importance of differentiating between SA tactics when investigating risk factors and means of prevention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What constitutes consent | Actively agreeing to be sexual with someone |
| Setting personal boundaries and respecting those of the partner | |
| Checking in if things aren't clear | |
| Both parties must agree to sex every single time | |
| Consenting without pressure, manipulation, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol | |
| Age of consent | |
| Sexual assault includes nonconsensual sexual activity ranging from coercive sex to forcible and/or incapacitated rape | |
| Antisocial traits and hostile attitudes are salient predictors of perpetration for forcible SA | |
| Beliefs about consent play a more important role for the larger group of nonforcible SA perpetrators | |
| Prevention programs should include a focus on reducing SA risk factors, clarifying definitions of consent, and improving sexual communication | |
| Clearer communication, including defining consent as continuous and active, could reduce the prevalence of SA | |
| Prevention programs should challenge perceptions that passive consent is sufficient for continued sexual activity | |
| Sexual assault victims face a penalty for adjacent consent |
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What You'll Learn
Misperceptions of consent
One key misconception is the idea of passive consent, where individuals may misinterpret a lack of resistance or silence as consent. This misperception can lead to coercive or incapacitated sexual assault, where the victim is unable to provide active consent due to substance use, intimidation, or other forms of manipulation. Clarifying the definition of consent and emphasizing that it must be freely given, enthusiastic, and continuous is crucial for preventing sexual assaults.
Another misperception of consent relates to the idea of "adjacent consent" or "convenience consent." This occurs when a victim has previously engaged in consensual sexual activities with the perpetrator or has a reputation for being sexually promiscuous. Studies have shown that victims in these situations are often blamed, seen as less virtuous, and face a "moral penalty," which may deter them from reporting the assault. This perception of adjacent consent can create psychological barriers to justice for victims, as they may be perceived as less credible or deserving of support.
Additionally, there is a misconception that consent is solely about physical actions, ignoring the importance of verbal communication. Effective prevention programs should focus on improving sexual communication skills, encouraging individuals to actively seek consent and respect their partner's boundaries. This includes understanding that consent must be given freely, without pressure, manipulation, or coercion, and that it can be revoked at any time.
Furthermore, misperceptions of consent can be influenced by rape-supportive beliefs and peer norms. Social and cultural attitudes that minimize the severity of sexual assault or promote hostile attitudes towards women can contribute to these misperceptions. Prevention programs should challenge these underlying beliefs and attitudes to create a culture that promotes respectful and consensual interactions.
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Repeat assaulters vs single assaulters
Sexual assault is defined as sexual touching without consent. Consent means actively agreeing to be sexual with someone. Consent lets someone know that sex is wanted. Sexual activity without consent is rape or sexual assault.
Repeat assaulters exhibited more callous attitudes toward women and were more likely to have histories of adolescent delinquency, as opposed to single assaulters who often described the assault as a result of inexperience or misperceptions of consent that they later corrected. Repeat assaulters also expressed significantly less remorse when describing their sexual assaults.
Single assaulters often have less extreme scores on measures of hostility toward women, past sexual experiences, drinking in sexual situations, and adolescent delinquency. They are also more influenced by situational factors, including alcohol consumption, peer approval of forced sex, and misperception of women’s sexual cues.
Findings suggest that prevention programs should include a focus on reducing sexual assault risk factors, clarifying definitions of consent, and improving sexual communication.
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Definitions of consent
Consent is an important concept in the context of sexual assault, and it is essential to understand its definitions. Sexual consent means actively agreeing to engage in sexual activity with someone. It is about setting personal boundaries and respecting the boundaries of one's partner. Both parties must agree to sexual activity every single time for it to be consensual. Consent should be freely given, without pressure, manipulation, or the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol.
The age of sexual consent, which varies across different regions and countries, refers to the minimum age at which an individual is considered legally capable of consenting to sexual intercourse. Engaging in sexual activity with someone below the age of consent is a serious offence, often carrying legal consequences such as jail time and registration as a sex offender.
Sexual assault, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, occurs when sexual activity or contact happens without consent. This can involve a range of behaviours, from unwanted kissing and touching to vaginal, anal, or oral penetration without consent. It is important to note that sexual assault can be perpetrated by anyone, including acquaintances, romantic partners, or strangers.
In the legal context, the definition of sexual assault may vary depending on the jurisdiction. For example, in England and Wales, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 defines sexual assault as intentional sexual touching without the consent of the other person. This includes touching with any part of the body or an object, and it carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Rape, defined as penetration without consent, carries a more severe sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Studies have examined the relationship between beliefs about consent and sexual assault perpetration among college men. These studies suggest that prevention programs should focus on clarifying definitions of consent, improving sexual communication, and addressing risk factors associated with sexual assault. Additionally, research has shown that certain attitudes and traits, such as callous attitudes towards women and histories of adolescent delinquency, may be predictive factors for forcible sexual assault perpetration.
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Sexual communication
Consent is an agreement to participate in sexual activity, where both individuals actively agree to engage in sexual behaviour. It is essential to understand that consent is a choice made without pressure, manipulation, or influence from substances like drugs or alcohol. Consent is not a one-time occurrence but an ongoing process, where both parties must agree to continue sexual activity.
Studies have found that unclear sexual communication is a risk factor for sexual assault. For example, a study by Gidycz, Lynn, et al. (2001) suggested that improving assertive sexual communication skills may help reduce the risk of victimization. Additionally, clarifying the definition of consent and challenging the perception that passive consent is sufficient can help prevent sexual assault.
Furthermore, addressing misconceptions about consent is crucial. For instance, the belief that consent is not needed after previous voluntary sexual intimacy, known as "adjacent consent," can lead to victim-blaming and underreporting of sexual assaults. It is important to understand that consent must be given for each sexual encounter and that previous consent does not imply ongoing consent.
To improve sexual communication and prevent sexual assault, educational programs should focus on defining consent, addressing risk factors, and promoting open and honest discussions about sexual boundaries and desires. By improving sexual communication, individuals can better understand consent and reduce the prevalence of sexual assault.
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Bystander intervention
When considering bystander intervention, it is essential to understand the legal definitions of sexual assault and consent. Sexual assault is defined as sexual touching without consent and can include a range of actions, such as unwanted kissing, touching of genitals, breasts, or bottom, or penetration. Consent, on the other hand, is about actively agreeing to participate in sexual activity. It involves setting personal boundaries, being honest about desires, and ensuring that both parties agree to any sexual act, every single time.
To effectively intervene as a bystander, individuals can employ various strategies. Firstly, it is important to trust your instincts and step in when something doesn't seem right. This can be done by offering a distraction, such as spilling a drink to interrupt the situation, or directly addressing the person exhibiting harmful behaviour. Additionally, bystanders can offer support and resources to the individual at risk, such as providing a safe ride home or walking them to their destination. If the situation escalates and involves imminent danger, calling emergency services is crucial.
Practicing active bystander intervention can be challenging, and it is important to prioritize your safety as well. It may be helpful to familiarize yourself with resources, such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline, and extend this information to those around you. Additionally, you can seek support for yourself or a friend by calling the hotline or chatting online with trained professionals. Remember, bystander intervention is not about being a hero but about making a meaningful impact and contributing to a cultural shift towards preventing sexual assault.
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Frequently asked questions
Consent is the act of actively agreeing to be sexual with someone. It is important to be honest with your partner about what you want and don't want. Consenting is a choice made without pressure, manipulation, or influence from drugs or alcohol.
Sexual assault is sexual touching without consent. It includes unwanted kissing and the touching of someone's genitals, breasts, or bottom. Sexual assault can be perpetrated by making someone touch the perpetrator in a sexual manner without their consent.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states that sexual assault occurs when someone intentionally touches another person in a sexual manner, without that person's consent. The touching can be with any part of the body or with anything else.
Adjacent consent refers to when a victim has consented to something sexual with their perpetrator on a previous occasion, such as kissing, foreplay, or sex. Studies have shown that victims may be penalized for this, as people tend to see them as less virtuous and deserving of support.
Risk factors for sexual assault include risky behaviour, rape-supportive beliefs, peer norms, personality traits, and childhood adversity. Repeat assaulters often exhibit more callous attitudes and have histories of adolescent delinquency.
