Education
There is no easy way to deal with this situation but we are actively building resources and connections with other organizations to make things easier. First, we are Advocates with a focus on prevention and intervention for adolescents to teens and it is our focus to help you directly as it pertains to any actions you wish to take. Next, we are in the process of building a curriculum for use in middle and high school around consent education. Education is key
If you are an organization, educator, or curriculum developer that would like to work with us please contact us, we are stronger together.
Sexual assault is “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.” Sexual assault is an umbrella term that includes sexual activities such as rape(includes vaginal, oral or anal sex), fondling, and attempted rape.
Sexual violence is any act that can be either verbal and/or physical which breaks an individuals trust and/or threatens their safety and is sexual in nature. Victims/survivors of sexual assaults are forced, coerced and/or manipulated to participate in the unwanted sexual activity.
Criminal sexual contact, sexual harassment, sexual stalking on the internet/social media and lewdness are varied forms of sexual violence.
Facts
- Young women ages 12-34 are at the highest risk for sexual assault.
- Risk peaks in the late teens, girls 16 to 19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.
- 38% of those victimized by rape are young women between the ages of 14 and 17.
Acquaintance rapes account for 93% of all rapes of teens.
Verbal CONSENT is the ONLY basis for sexual relations!
Therefore…
- The only thing that means yes is yes — given that the person saying yes is at the age of consent.
- No means no; silence means no; maybe means no, shrugging shoulders or any other non-verbal communication means no.
- If someone is under the influence of any substance that renders them unable to say no, or too disabled to say no, or too young to say no, that also means no.
- You have the right to change your mind about having sex at any point.
- Kissing only means you agree to kiss
,. It doesn’t mean consent to anything else. - Just because you are at his/her house, he/she is not entitled to sex.
- No one owes anyone sex for money, or for buying lunch, uber eats, candy, clothing etc. Those things don’t mean you have to do anything.
- Your clothing does not provide consent, nor does it mean anything you wear means that you deserve any unwanted actions against you. Clothing IS NOT consent.
- Sexual assault is a widespread and under-reported crime.
Get Help
- 911 For emergencies
- Get medical attention, even if you don’t plan to report the assault. Just because you get treatment doesn’t mean you are obligated to do anything beyond that.
- If you are going to report the crime to police, do not shower, go to the bathroom, use any types of feminine wash products, eat or drink anything, and don’t vape or smoke.
- Go to a hospital emergency room or urgent care facility and if you can GO WITH SOMEONE who can be there for you!
Call a 24-Hour Hotline
- Mercer County Hotline: 609.394.9000
- New Jersey Statewide Hotline: 800.601.7200
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE
- If you know someone who has been sexually assaulted, you can call a hotline for information and encourage them to seek help. Silence helps no one #SPEAKUP
Remember your self-worth! No one has the right to violate your body no matter how you may act or present yourself. You didn’t ask for it, it is not your fault! You don’t have to stay silent.
New Jersey Resources
New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA)
2333 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd., Suite B
Trenton, NJ 08619
609.631.4450
The mission of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault is to promote the compassionate and just treatment of victims and their loved ones, foster collaborative relationships between community systems and affect attitudinal and behavioral changes in society as we work toward the elimination of sexual violence against all people. NJCASA board members and other volunteers have been successfully helping the victims of sexual assault since 1981. Since September 1999, thanks to generous grants made through the State Office of Victim Witness Advocacy and the State’s Division on Women in the Department of Community Affairs, NJCASA has a fully staffed Trenton office. NJCASA is the collective voice for rape crisis centers in all 21 counties throughout the state of NJ, each of which operates as an individual unit. With the opening of the Trenton office, NJCASA has increased its advocacy on behalf of assault victims on a statewide level.
NJ Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV)
1670 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road
Trenton, NJ 08690-3541
609.584.8107
http://www.njcedv.org/ The New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence, formerly known as The New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women, was organized in 1977 to help all victims of domestic violence. NJCEDV believes domestic violence is a crime, major social problem and concern of every member of our society. It assists local shelters’ efforts to provide quality services for victims of domestic violence through training, education, information and referrals. NJCEDV educates the public to increase awareness of the complex issues of violence in the family and offers training and technical assistance to community, law enforcement, civic, church and professional groups. It provides statistics, resources and information on domestic violence free upon request through their Resource Center. For information on domestic violence services available throughout the state, please visit: http://www.njcedv.org/know-your-rights/.
Reach Out. Seek Out. Speak Out. You are never alone!