In everyday life....

ASK. LISTEN. RESPECT.

WHAT IS CONSENT - Website Resource: https://www.rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent

Teens may not be clear on what consent means, nor how to ask for it. 

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey Report:

• 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males who ever experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of intimate partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age.

• More than half of all rapes of females occur before age 18; 22% occur before the age of 12.

• Adolescent girls who experience dating violence are more likely to exhibit other serious behaviors such as substance abuse, increased suicide attempts, unhealthy weight control, and risky sexual behavior.

What is the Age of Sexual Consent for Sex in Maine? 

The age of sexual consent in Maine is 16 years old. Consent Definitions and Policy in Maine, and Laws PPT

Individuals aged 15 or younger in Maine are not legally able to consent to sexual activity, and such activity may result in prosecution for statutory rape. 

Maine statutory rape law is violated when a person has consensual sexual intercourse with an individual under age 16 who is not their spouse. However, Maine does have a “Romeo & Juliet” law that only applies to sexual activity with 14 or 15-year-olds.

Relationships exist on a spectrum from healthy, to unhealthy, to abusive. The following resources can empower you to recognize behaviors and dynamics that are common to healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships 

Through These Doors Helpline (1-800-537-6066) 

Available 24/7/365

Completely free service 

Confidential

If you’re in an abusive relationship, or you love someone who is, it’s totally understandable to feel overwhelmed or scared. It can be particularly daunting to know that the support networks you may rely on during normal times — such as going to a friend’s house or even going to the guidance counselor — may be more difficult to access now.

But you are not alone. Even while socially distanced, your loved ones can continue to offer you support, and advocates are available to help you during this time. 

1. Roughly 1.5 million high school boys and girls in the U.S. admit to being intentionally hit or physically harmed in the last year by someone they are romantically involved with.[1]

2. Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior.[2]

3. 1 in 3 young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship. [3]

4. 33% of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional dating abuse.[4]

5. In the U.S., 25% of high school girls have been abused physically or sexually. Teen girls who are abused this way are 6 times more likely to become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI).[5]

6. Females between the ages of 16 and 24 are roughly 3 times more likely than the rest of the population to be abused by an intimate partner.[6]

7. 8 States in the U.S. do not consider a violent dating relationship domestic abuse. Therefore, adolescents, teens, and 20-somethings are unable to apply for a restraining order for protection from the abuser.[7]

8. Violent behavior often begins between 6th and 12th grade. 72% of 13 and 14-year-olds are “dating.”[8]

9. 50% of young people who experience rape or physical or sexual abuse will attempt to commit suicide.[9]

10. Only 1/3 of the teens who were involved in an abusive relationship confided in someone about the violence.[10]

11. Teens who have been abused hesitate to seek help because they do not want to expose themselves or are unaware of the laws surrounding domestic violence.[11]

REFERENCES

Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011.

Teach consent

Sexual assault response service of southern Maine

Youth online - Maine 

Sexual Consent

Teen Support  text line - NAMI

https://www.joinonelove.org/learn/relationship-abuse-during-quarantine-five-places-to-find-help/

Help for your  parent

Greely Guidance Counselors and Social Workers are here to answer questions and provide support.

Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine     http://www.sarsonline.org/

It's Your Sex Life STIs, Consent, & Healthy Relationships http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/

Young Adult Abuse Prevention Program   http://www.familycrisis.org/yaapp.html