A Reverse Angle on Sexual Assault

“The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.”

-Joseph Joubert

Earlier this week, Sexual Assault Voices of Edmonton (or SAVE) started a brand new ad campaign around preventing sexual assault, and specifically date or acquaintance rape, called Don’t Be That Guy (news article). Usually, these ad campaigns focus on how to prevent being assaulted, but this one targets young men, 18 to 24, with the goal of teaching them that it’s women who are extremely drunk/intoxicated or unconscious cannot consent to sex… In short, that alcohol-facilitated sexual assault is a crime.

While the approach angle is already different, the language and images are significantly more explicit as well. The image on the right is one, you can see the other two here, on SAVE’s web site. The idea is to get around the usual notions that sexual assault is the victim’s fault, and arguably, only talking about what potential victims can do to keep from being assaulted only perpetuates that notion. Punchy, for sure, and pretty likely to generate some lively reactions from both sides.

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And it should generate reaction. And it can be good thing to talk about it.

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Sex education isn’t just about “this is a penis!” and “this is a vagina!“… It’s also about the things we don’t always take up in a sex ed class in school. Things like talking about the different reasons why some people have sex… discussing what “sex” is, and why it might be different for you and your partner than other people… and navigating the sometimes incredible difficult world of sexual and non-sexual relationships, all the pressure, the social values, the stigma and prejudices and judgment, as well as the fun parts.

Some of you may have classes or groups where you take these kinds of conversations up… Others might have a tougher time finding that kind of space. If you’re looking for folks to talk to, we’re not too bad… the fact that we’re light on sharing opinions might be frustrating for people who want to get more points of view, though. Maybe adults or friends that you trust. Another option is the Sex Sense hotline: 1-800-739-7367, weekdays, 9am to 9pm.

Maybe your sex ed class. :>

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• (Potentially triggering, some description of a sexual assault) An interesting presentation by activist & educator Tony Porter, about what it means to “act like a man” and why you might not want to, courtesy of TED