Sue Scheff: Sexual Assault Awareness Week – Be An Educated Parent
by Sue Scheff on Feb 18, 2010
Sexual Assault Awareness Week: February 22-25, 2010
Sponsored by Georgia Southern University’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and the Sexual Assault Prevention Advocates (SAPA)
Sadly this is a subject that all parents need to be aware of and their teens need to be educated on. Teen sexual abuse is not prejudice. Whether you believe in a very safe area, or go to an excellent school or college, learning about sexual assault and abuse is a difficult topic but necessary to learn about.
Joni Poole, currently 18 years old, is a survivor of a sexual assault and rape. She is a hero and a voice for those that are suffering silently. She testified against her rapist and put him away. Joni Poole created Sexual Abuse, Assault and Rape Awareness (S.A.A.R.A.) organization following her horrific experiences. She was also featured in my Teens That Inspire series.
Joni Poole has been invited to be the guest speaker for Sexual Assault Prevention Advocates on Thursday 7:30 pm, February 25th, 2009 at Russell Union Rotunda at Georgia Southern University. Learn more.
Some stunning statistics from S.A.A.R.A.:
General Information about Sexual Crime Victims
-1 out of 3 girls are victims or will become victims of a sexual crime before the age of 18.
-1 out of 5 boys are victims or will become victims of a sexual crime before the age of 18.
-80% of young adults who were abused as children, met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder by age 21
-34% of Sexual Crimes involve a family member or caregiver.
-1.3 forcible rape of adult women every minute. (In America)
-78 women are rape every hour. (In America)
-1,871 women are raped every day. (In America)
Sexual Crime and The Legal System
-72% of Sexual Crimes go unreported.
-If the crime is reported, there is a 50.8% chance of an arrest.
-If there is an arrest, there is an 80% chance of a prosecution.
-If a case makes it to prosecution, there is only a 58% chance of a felony conviction.
-If there is a felony conviction, there is only a 69% chance that the offender will spend time in jail.
-1 out of 20 offenders spend time in jail
-19 out of 20 offenders will walk free
-68% of Rapes occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Not convince yet you need to learn more?
Sexually Abused Children and Crime Rate
-Abused children are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile
-Abused children are 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult
-Abused children are 30% more likely to commit a violent crime
-Over 14% of males in U.S. prisons were abused as children
-Over 36% of females in U.S. prisons were abused as children
See more shocking statistics here.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens.
WATCH VIDEO and read more on Examiner.
Tags: Joni Poole, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Teen Dating Abuse, Teen Help, Teen Issues
Sue Scheff: National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
by Sue Scheff on Feb 06, 2010
This month is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Since 2006 Congress has officially recognized the first week in February as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week,” and this year, for the first time, Congress has designated the entire month as a time to raise awareness of this important issue!
You can do your part to raise awareness of teen dating violence and abuse this month by encouraging people to join the MADE (Moms And Dads for Education To Stop Teen Dating Abuse) movement! ANYONE can join the MADE coalition by visiting: http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/made/petition.html
Parents need to open the lines of communication with their teens. Love is Not Abuse is an organization that provides information and tools that men, women, children, teens and corporate executives can use to learn more about the issue and find out how they can help end this epidemic of domestic violence.
Love is Not Abuse also offers a Parent’s Guide to Teen Dating Violence. This can help you to start the conversation. Also visit Love is Respect for more valuable information.
During this month of February when love is in the air, take the time to show your love to your kids and sit down and talk about this serious subject. If you are a teacher, please take a few minutes to discuss this topic. You never know who is listening and what you may be preventing.
Happy Valentine’s Day and remember, it is not about “being mine” as it is about “being kind.”
Pass it on.
Read more on Examiner and watch video.
Tags: Love is not abuse, Parenting, Parenting Resources, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sexual Assault, Sue Scheff, teen dating violence, Teen Help, Teen Sexual Abuse
Sue Scheff: Sexual Harassment in a Teens Workplace
by Sue Scheff on Jan 25, 2010
Sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable. When you hear about it happening with teenagers it is more deplorable. Who is responsible for your teen’s safety when they go to their job?
Recently 20/20 ABC News reported on this disturbing subject. Sexual Harassment Policy Expert, Susan Strauss, says the problem is especially prevalent in fast food restaurants where so many teenagers have their first jobs.
“They’re vulnerable, they’re young, they’re new to the workforce,” Strauss said of the teenage employees.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual behavior. It may take different forms, including:
- Physical contact, like grabbing, pinching, touching your breast or butt or other body parts, or kissing you against your will;
- Sexual comments, like name-calling (slut, whore, fag), starting rumors about you, making sexual jokes at your expense, or making sexual gestures at or about you;
- Sexual propositions, like asking you for sex or repeatedly asking you out when you have said no;
- Unwanted communication, like phone calls, letters, or e-mails. These can be mean, nasty, or threatening, or they can seem flattering or nice but still make you uncomfortable.
These are only examples; there may be other forms of behavior that are not listed here but still can be considered sexual harassment.
Both the harasser and the victim can be either male or female, and they do not have to be the opposite sex. The harasser can be another teenager or an adult.
Reference: Teen Victim Project
- 81 percent of students will experience some form of sexual harassment at some time while they are in school, with 27 percent experiencing it often.
- 85 percent of students report that students harass other students at their schools.
- Almost 40 percent of students report that teachers and other school employees sexually harass students in their schools.
Do you suspect your teen is being harassed at their employment? Whether you answer “yes” or “no“ you have to take the time to discuss this subject with them. They need to understand even if they are not strong enough to say “no” to sexual advances or afraid to say “no“, it is wrong and they can tell someone.
Sexual harassment is not limited to just workplaces, it could be in school, youth groups, or any situation that involves a person that is less than ethical. This information is not to alarm as much as it is to bring an awareness to parents.
According to a recent study in Maine, one in three high school students reported unwanted sexual advances in the workplace.
Be an educated parent, you will have a safer teen.
Watch video and read more.
Tags: Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Sue Scheff, Teen Help, Teen Sexual Harassment
