Sexual Violence & Abuse

Sexual Violence & Abuse encompasses many different forms and overlaps into every category of violence.  

According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), Sexual Violence & Abuse can include Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Partner manipulated sexual encounters, Rape, Incest, child sexual abuse and numerous other specific acts.  For a comprehensive, although not totally complete list of acts of sexual violence & abuse, visit the categories page on the RAINN website.

 The most common of these is Sexual Harassment: defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace or learning environment.  As the acts of Sexual Violence & Abuse increase in severity, so too does the emotional scarring that can take place. 

This page does not have all of the answers but is used as a resource for education.  Please also refer to the CONSENT & THE LAW PAGE for more information

FEATURED websites, articles & resources

Raven - Spoken Word-by Mya and Susan

"RAVEN" a brilliant spoken word about consent and sexual assault/rape created and produced by Class of '23 students Massi Immuone, Susan Acevedo and Mya Shrieves during 2nd report card 2021-2022 school year in Health class at the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush

This presentation to the right was created by the joint councils at the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush in Sporing 2021 (Spirit, United Minorities, and Student) in response to student concerns about sexual harrasment and sexual assault.  It briefly defines them and then tells you what you should and shouldn't do to respond all from student's advice

Copy of Sexual Harassment and Assault Awareness Slides

According to a 2017 study examining Police reports & College Sexual Assault reports, MOST rapists aren't strangers.  They know their victims somehow (even if just acquaintances).  Often, they get their victims drunk before the sexual encounter. They then either attack their victim, force their victim, or coerce their victim to have sex.  (These numbers do not include those that were "roofied" with Rohypnol  )

An intoxicated person CAN NOT give consent*.  No means No but No answer, also means NO!

FEATURED VIDEOS 

YouTube PlayList 

What is Sexual Violence (CDC, 2018)

Myth Busting: Sexual Violence (University of York)

The Absence of No does not mean yes

CONSENT MATTERS (SFU)

Challenging the Normalization of Sexual Assault of Women (Ted Talk: Susan Pavlou. 2015)

Sex Trafficking isn't what you think it is (Ted Talk: Megan Sobel, 2016)

My Journey as a Male Sexual Assault Survivor (Ted Talk: Landon Wilcock, 2018)

Sex Trafficking: What is it? (Amaze.org) 

Music Video: Till it Happens to you (Lady Gaga, 2015) 

STUDENT TOPICAL ART FEATURE

This caption is for the picture to the right:

I chose to do an art piece to show how a lack of consent can hurt. Digital painting is one of my specialties and I wanted to show emotion the best way I can. This can help people my age by way of showing the way their actions can hurt, especially when you don’t have explicit consent. 

According to Rainn.org, 1 out of 6 of every woman will be subject to an attempted or complete rape. However, women are not the only ones raped. One in 33 men will also be subject to attempted or completed rape, and one out of ten rape victims are male. However, male rape is largely unreported due to the stereotype that men are supposed to like any sex they come across. 

Rape victims also have bad mental health afterwards. 46% of women after being raped consider or actually do carry out suicide. 70% of victims also experience moderate to severe distress, which is much more than any other violent crime.

All this to show that you need to make sure you have an explicit yes.

DF- Spring 2020- Rush Arts







This Unit is a comprehensive although not all inclusive Unit on various topics in Human Sexuality (listed in the drop down navigation menu) that could be developed into a full course.   Content in the Unit ranges from GRADES 5-12 but OBVIOUSLY some of the content is NOT for all grades.  For a Top 10 list of reasons to include a comprehensive program for sexuality  / Sexual Health education rather than just Abstinence only Education, please CLICK HERE.   

ALTHOUGH ALL EDUCATIONAL,  STUDENTS NOT ENROLLED IN MR. CORABI'S HEALTH CLASS OR HEALTH CLASS AT THE ARTS ACADEMY AT BENJAMIN RUSH, SHOULD GET THEIR PARENT'S PERMISSION BEFORE OPENING ANY LINKS OR DOWNLOADING ANY HANDOUTS.  Other Teachers choosing to use information in this unit should use their discretion based on District Level, Community Level and School Level curriculum guidelines and policies. 

It is assumed that students assigned to Mr. Corabi's class or Health Class at the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush have their parent's permission based on weekly communication via google classroom posts, email or letters given to students for parents/guardians.  Note:  A child can consent on their own for Sexual Health Education and testing at age 14 in Philadelphia, PA.