Lesson 01: Introduction - Louisiana · Lesson 01: Introduction Slide 1-1. Welcome This course was...

Lesson01:Introduction

Slide1-1.Welcome This coursewas developed to increase your awareness about sexual assault crimes. It is notintendedtomakeyouanexpertinsexualassaultinvestigations.Uponcompletionofthiscourse,youshouldbemoreawareofimportantsexualassaultissues,including:

• Stereotypes,assumptions,myths,andmisconceptions,• Changingdynamics,• Acquaintance,spouse,orpartnersexualassault,• Sexualassaultofmen,lesbians,andgays,and• Sexualassaultoftheelderlyanddisabled.

Slide1-2.CourseOverview TheNationalCrimeVictimizationSurveyreportsthatapproximately293,000personsarevictimsof sexual assault each year.Many assaults gounreported.Despite thesenumbers, fewof usunderstand the number of issues related to sexual assaults and their impact upon lawenforcement’sabilitytoobtainreportstoinvestigatethesecrimesandapprehendoffenders.Weusetheterm"victim"torefertoapersonwhoexperiencedsexualviolence.Whenworkingon a sexual assault investigation, a law enforcement officer may also use or hear the term"survivor'' torefertothepersonwhoexperiencedsexualviolence.Thistermisoftenusedtodescribesomeonewhoisnolongerexperiencingsexualviolence,andreflectsthestrengthofthepersonforhavingsurvivedit.Wewillbeginbyconsideringthesocializedattitudes,beliefs,andpracticesthatcontributetoacultureinwhichsexualassaultoccurs,andtheguiltandsecrecythatsurroundit.

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Lesson02:Stereotypes&Assumptions

Slide2-1.WhatisSexualAssault? Sexualassaultincludesanytypeofsexualactivitythatiscommittedbyonepersonwithouttheconsentoftheother,whetherbyforce,coercionorintimidation.Itincludesarangeofactivitiesoftendefinedbystatute.Theterm“sexualassault”isusedinplaceof"rape”inthiscourseinordertobemoreinclusiveofthemanydifferenttypesofsexualviolation.Itisalsothetermusedinthecriminalstatutesinmanystates.Itisimportanttounderstandthatsexualassaultisaboutpowerandcontrol.Sexualassaultisnotaboutsexualpassion.Youmay ask, “If there are somany people being sexually assaulted, why don't I know anyvictims?”Youprobablydo.Manyvictimsareveryselectiveaboutwhomtheytellandmaynothavedisclosedthismattertoyou.

Slide2-2.Misconceptions–Stereotypes,Assumptions,&MythsWearesocializedtobelievethatvictimsofsexualassaultaresomehowpartlyresponsibleforacrimethathasbeencommittedagainstthem.Asasocietyweoften"explain"theassaultinawaythatplacesresponsibilityforthecrimeatthefeetofthevictim.Wedosobecauseofanumberofmythsthatsurroundsexualassault.Manyofthesemythsarebasedupongenderroleswhichhavebeentraditionallyre-enforcedbysociety.

Slide2-3.Misconceptions–Stereotypes,Assumptions,&MythsStereotypes,assumptions,andcommonlybelievedmythspervadeeverylevelofthinking.It isimportantforlawenforcementofficerstoacknowledgethatassumptionsinfluenceouractions.Awarenessofourassumptionswillprepare the lawenforcementofficer toavoid themwhenspeakingwithvictims.Officersmustalsobepreparedtorespondtootherpeoplewhobelievethemythsandstereotypes.

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Slide2-4.Misconceptions–Stereotypes,Assumptions,&MythsSomeof thebeliefs thathave led tomisconceptionaboutsexualassault includeacommonlyacceptedideathatthereisadifferenceinsexualassaultcases.Weoftenwanttodifferentiateassaultsto"realsexualassaults"versus"falsesexualassaultreports."Inotherwords,"realsexualassault"isthestereotypethatourculturehasforwhatconstitutesalegitimatesexualassault."Realsexualassault,"inthemindsofmanypeople,isperpetratedbyastrangerwhojumpsfromthebusheswithaknifeinhishandandattacksawomanwhoisseenbyeveryoneasbeingcompletelyinnocent.

Slide2-5.Misconceptions–Stereotypes,Assumptions,&MythsBasedonculturalmythsandmisconceptions,manybelievethat"realsexualassault"is:

• perpetratedbyastranger,• involvesagreatdealofphysicalviolence,• leavesobvioussignsofphysicalinjury,• involvestheuseofaweapon,• causesthevictimtobehysterical,• committedatnightinadarkalley,• involvesonlypenile-vaginalpenetration,and• isreportedimmediatelytothepolice.

Despite the popularity of these beliefs about “real sexual assault,” most sexual assaultinvestigators would report that a large proportion of recent cases did not resemble thestereotype.Infact,therearemanymoresexualassaultscommittedbyacquaintancesthanbythestereotypicalstranger.

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Lesson03:ChangingDynamics

Slide3-1.PerpetratorsDuringthelasttwentytothirtyyears,wehaveseenthatsexualassaultperpetratorsaremorelikelytobeknowntoandeventrustedbythevictim.Thereisagrowingincidentofacquaintancesexualassault,drug-facilitatedsexualassault,andgangsexualassaultbyyoungmenperceivedasthe"bestandbrightest"bytheirfamiliesandcommunities.We are no longer safe by believing that perpetrators of sexual assault are strangers in darkclothingthatpreyonvulnerablewomenwhoareinthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.Instead,theperpetratorislikelytobeknowntothevictim,maybemaleorfemale,andmaybeatrustedfriendorconfidant.Increasingly,thesecrimesarenon-strangersexualassaults.It is crucial that officers examine these myths and avoid being influenced by them whenrespondingtovictimsofsexualassault.Officersmustbepreparedtorespondtopersonswhohold thesemisconceptionsabout sexual assault. Thatpersonmaybe thevictim,a significantother, or a helping professional. Officers have an opportunity to clarify the reality of sexualassaultswithaccuratesupportiveinformation.

Slide3-2.AttitudesMatterLawenforcementofficerattitudescanhaveaprofoundimpactonthewillingnessofvictimsandotherstoreportsexualassaults,giveevidence,ortoassistwithacase.Publicperceptionoflawenforcementofficers'attitudesalsoimpactwhetherornotavictimreportsasexualassault.Somevictimsarefearfulthatofficerswillnottakethereportseriouslyorthattheofficerswillaskinsensitivequestions.Thereisalsoafearthatofficerswillnotempathizewiththevictim,butmayblame the victim. These fears damage the trust necessary between the victims and lawenforcementofficers.Recentstudiesofofficerattitudestowardsexualassaultsuggestthatmostofficers, likeothercommunitymembers,aremoresensitivetoissuesofsexualassault.However,officersdifferintheir beliefs about whether women sometimes cause or provoke sexual assault by theirappearanceorbehavior.

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Slide3-3.TrainingChangesAttitudesStudiesofofficershaveshownthatthoseofficerswhohavemoreexperiencewithsexualassaultcasesaremoreempathetictowardvictims.Inaddition,officerswhohaveparticipatedintrainingaboutsexualassaultalsodevelopmoreempatheticattitudesandaabetterunderstandingoftheimpaceofsexualassaultuponvictims.Inthenextlessonwewilllookatsomeofthemythsandmisconceptionsregardingsexualassault.

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Lesson04:Myths&Misconceptions

Slide4-1.OriginsMyths and misconceptions about sexual assault are linked to sociocultural views aboutinterpersonal violence, perceptions of male and female sex roles, racist myths, and othercommonstereotypes.Theytendtominimizetheseriousnessofsexualassaultandputtheblameonthevictimratherthantheoffender.Exposingthesemythsandreplacingthemwithfactsisthefirststeptowardchangingpeople'sattitudesandreducingsexualviolence.

Slide4-2.TheMythsLet’sconsidersomecommonmythsandmisconceptionsaboutsexualassault.

Myth:Sexualassaultdoesnothappenveryoften.

Fact: The U.S. has the highest rate of sexual assault per capita of any industrializedcountry.AccordingtotheNationalCrimeVictimResearchandTreatmentCenter,in2011overtwomillionwomenintheU.S.weresexuallyassaulted.Nearly200,000experienceddrug-facilitatedsexualassault,andabout300,000experiencedincapacitatedrape.Myth:Peoplearesexuallyassaultedbecauseofarapist'ssuddensexualurges.

Fact: Sexual assault is not a spontaneous act. Sixty to seventy-five percent of singleassailant and 90 percent of gang sexual assaults are planned in advance. In addition,sexualassaultisnottheresultofsexualurges.Sexualassaultisaresultofthedesiretoexertpowerandcontroloveranotherperson. It isa life-threateningact,motivatedbyaggressionandsometimeshatred.

Myth:Menwhogetsexuallyexcitedcannotcontrolthemselves.

Fact:Sexualexcitement isnotanuncontrollableforce.Forexample,whenpeoplearehavingsexandtheyareawarethatsomeonehasenteredtheroom,theyareabletostop.Menarenotmoredriventocompleteasexualactthanarewomen.

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Myth:Awomanwhoreallyresistsherattackercannotbesexualassaulted.Ifshedidnotfightback,shemusthavewantedtohavesex.

Fact:Mostwomenarevictimsofacquaintancesexualassault.Theymightnotfightbackbecausetheyknowthepersonassaultingthemandareinastateofshockanddisbelief.Inbothstrangerandacquaintancesexualassault,thevictimmightbetoofrightenedormayrealizethegreaterstrengthoftheassailantandchoosenottofightback.

Myth:Rapistsandpeoplewhosexuallyabusechildrenare"crazy"or"sick."

Fact:Mostoffendersarenotmentallyill;86%areofnormaltosuperiorintelligenceandonly7%demonstrateadevelopmentalimpairment.

Myth:Peoplewhocommitsexualassaultusuallydosoonlyonce. Fact:Mostrapistscommitmanyactsofsexualassaultandcontinueuntiltheyarecaughtandstopped.

Myth:Societyhasatrulyprogressiveattitudeaboutsexualassault.

Fact: Prevention is still seen as the victim's responsibility. Society looks at thecharacteristicsof thevictim, insteadof theattacker, todeterminewhetherornot theassaultis"real."Reportsofsexualassaultareincreasingfourtimesfasterthananyothercrime.

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Lesson05:AcquaintanceSexualAssault

Slide5-1.Whatisit? Acquaintancesexualassault isunwanted intercoursewithapersononealreadyknows. It isaviolationofthevictim'sbodyandtrust.Itisanactofviolencecommittedbysomeonethevictimjustmet,hasdatedafewtimes,hasknownalongtime,orperhapsisevenengagedto.The force involvedcancome from threatsor toneof voice,aswell as fromphysical forceorweapons. Victims of acquaintance sexual assaults may be either male or female. Lovers,neighbors, friends, coworkers, dates, and classmates can all be perpetrators or victims ofacquaintancesexualassault.Thevastmajorityofsexualassaultsarecommittedagainstacquaintances.Offendersprefertoknow their victims because they have greater opportunity to place victims in a vulnerablepositionwithoutalarmingthem.Commonpreventativemethodssuchassecurityescorts,bluelightphones,andvanservicesareuselessiftheperpetratorlivesinthevictim'shouseordorm,isthevictim'sdate,drivesthevictimhomefromwork,orissomeoneelsethevictimhasreasontotrust.Victimsarealsofarmoresusceptibletocoercionbysomeonetheyknowbecausetheyfind itdifficulttobelievethatsomeonetheyknowandtrustwouldexploitthem.Theyrecognizethedangertoolate.Acquaintancesexualassaultoftenhasevenmoredevastatingeffectsonitsvictimsthansexualassault by strangers because it destroys the victim's fundamental faith and trust in humanrelationships.

Slide5-2.Consent Oneofthedynamicsofsexualassaultistheissueofconsent.Avictimmaysay"no"andmeanit,whileasexualaggressormaythinkthat"no"doesn'treallymean"no."Theaggressormaybelievethatifthevictimagreestogooutonadate,wearsseductiveclothing,goessomewherealonewiththeaggressor,orisknowntohavehadsexwithsomeoneelse,consenttosexisimplied.Noneofthesegivesconsent.Consentmaybegivenverballyforeachsexualactinwhichpeopleparticipate.Eachparticipantmustbeabletosay"no"atanypoint.

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Frequently, both the victim and the offender have been drinking or have taken drugs.Sometimes,offendersusedrugsoralcoholwiththeintentofassaultingvictimswhentheyaresemi-consciousorunabletoresist.Asinisterdevelopmentinsexualassaultistheriseof"date-sexualassaultdrugs".

Slide5-3.PerpetratorsPerpetrators of acquaintance sexual assault usually know that their victims have not givenconsent,andchoosetoignoreit.Daterapistsusuallyplantohavesex,notnecessarilytosexualassault.Buttheymayhavealreadydecidedthatiftheir"dates"refuse,theywillsimplytakewhattheyfeelistheirdue:sex.Thebehaviorofthedaterapist isanactof forcethat ismotivatedbyadesireforpowerandcontrol.Manyacquaintanceassailantshaveforcedsexbeforeandhavegottenawaywithit.Theyusuallylookforvictimswhoareunassertive.Theydonotseethemselvesasrapists.Thenumberofmenandwomenwhocommitdatesexualassaultmayberelativelysmall,butthenumberofvictimswhoselivesareshatteredbyeachoffenderisoftenlarge.

Slide5-4.Victims Victimsofmost,butnotallacquaintancesexualassaultsareyoungwomenundertheageof25.Manyvictims,bothmaleandfemale,areundertheageof16.Thesevictimsareparticularlyill-preparedtodealwithanoffenderwhoisgoal-orientedandhasplannedtheassaultinadvance.Manyperpetratorsaremaleswhoareatleastayearormoreolderthantheirvictims.Manyofthesetypesofsexualassaultsoccuratcollegesanduniversities,whereitiseasytoenticeavictimwhomaybebothnaïveandeasilytalked intobeingalonewiththeoffender. Sexualassaultoftenhappenstohighschoolstudentsaswell.

Slide5-5.ImpactofSexualAssaultbyanAcquaintance Sexual assault by an acquaintance is not a simple crime of passion or merely a result ofmiscommunication.Itisacrimeofpower,anger,orboth.Forcingsexonanotherpersonmakestheperpetratorfeelstrongbecauseitmakessomeoneelsefeelweak.Sexualassaultisviolenceagainstapersonwhoislesspowerful,anditisacrime.

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Victimsofacquaintancesexualassaultneedtobereassuredthatitisacrime,that"no"means"no,"andthattheydidnotcausethesexualassault.Theperpetratorcommittedanassault.Often,especiallyinacollegesituation,thesexualassaultsurvivorandtheattackerliveneareachotherormayseeeachothereveryday.Thiscanbeparticularlystressfultothesurvivorbecausetheperpetratormayseethesexualassaultasaconquestorasan'innocentmistake."Victimsofacquaintancesexualassaultmaybefurtherstressedbylackofsupportfromfriendsorfamilymembers.Friendsmaybeespeciallyunlikelytoviewtheincidentassexualassaultiftheyare friends of both the survivor and the offender, or if the rapist is someone who appearssuperficially"nice."Attitudesthatthesexualassaultwasdeservedora"misunderstanding"belittlesthesurvivor'straumaticexperience.Attitudesthatblamethesurvivorhelptoperpetuatesuchviolenceasdateandacquaintancesexualassault.

Slide5-6.MythsaboutAcquaintanceSexualassault Let’sconsidersomeofthemythsandmisconceptionsthatsurroundacquaintancesexualassault.

Myth:Thetypicalassaulttakesplaceinanalley,afterdark,byastranger.Tokeepthemselvessafe,womenshouldstayathomeatnightandavoidhighriskplacessuchasbarsandparties.Fact: Eighty-four percent of sexual assault victims are attacked by people they know.Thirty-threepercentofthetime,theattackerissomeonetheyknowwell.Mostsexualassaultshappeninplaceswherewomenaretaughttobelievetheyaresafest.Morethanhalfofsexualassaultshappeninthevictim'shome.

Myth:Womenaresexuallyassaultedbecausetheydressprovocativelyandare,therefore,temptingtotherapist.Thewomenwereaskingforit.

Fact:Sometimespeoplemakeassumptionsaboutanotherpersonbecauseofhowthatpersonisdressed,andtheyactonthoseassumptions.Victimsofsexualassaultarenotresponsiblefortheassumptionsoractionsofothers.Nooneaskstobesexuallyassaulted.In addition, studies show that rapists choose their victims based on perceivedvulnerabilityandnotonsexualattractiveness.

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Myth:Itisacceptabletoforcesexonawomanwhoissaying"no"becausesheactuallymeans"yes"andisjustafraidtosayit.Besides,ifawomanagreestoacertainlevelofsexualinteraction,shehasagreedtohaveintercourse.

Fact:Peoplearecapableofdecidingwhatshouldhappentotheirownbodies.Nooneelsehastherighttoassumethat“no”meansanythingotherthanno.Peoplehavetherighttoengageinsomesexualactivitywithoutnecessarilyengaginginallkindsofsexualactivity.Apersoncansay"no"orchangetheirmindatanypoint,andaboutanyactivity.

Myth:Acquaintancesexualassaultdoesnotcarryasseriousan impactonthevictimasstrangersexualassault.

Fact:Sexualassaulthasaseriousimpactonallvictimsasitisaviolentactoverwhichtheyhaveno control. In some instances, victimsof acquaintance sexual assault experienceadditionaltraumacausedbytheirsenseofbeingbetrayedbythatperson.

Myth: Women are always "crying sexual assault," claiming that they weresexuallyassaultedwhentheywerenot.

Fact:Only16%ofsexualassaultsarereportedtothepolice.Incaseswheretheassailantwasanacquaintance,therateisonly10%.Somereasonsfornotreportingincludeshameandfearresultingfromtheattack,fearofgoingthroughthecourtsystem,and/orfearofbeing confronted by the media. Myths of false reporting affect credibility, consentdeterminations by law enforcement officers, and cause an over-estimation of falsereporting.

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Lesson06:SpouseorPartnerSexualAssault

Slide6-1.Whatisit? Manypeopledonot believe that sexual assault canhappenwithin amarriageor a seriouslycommitted relationshipwhere two people are living together. Thismay be one of themostmisunderstoodtypesofsexualassaultMaritalorpartnersexualassaultmaybeaccomplishedwithoutconsentoragainstaperson'swillbyphysicalforce,threatsofforcetothevictimorathirdperson,orimpliedharmbasedonpriorassaultcausingthevictimtofearthatphysicalforcewillbeusedifheorsheresists.Spouseorpartnersexualassaultsincludemaritalsexualassault.Itisanactofviolence,anditisnowacrimeinall50statesandfederalterritories.Spouseorpartnersexualassaultisanysexualactinwhichaspouse,formerspouse,domesticpartner,orformerdomesticpartnerforcestheotherpersontoparticipatewithoutthatperson'sconsent.Spouseorpartner sexual assault isnotbased in thedesire for sexby theperpetratoror thewithholdingofsexbythevictim.Rather,itisusedtoreinforcetherapist'spower,dominanceorcontrol,ortoexpressanger.

Slide6-2.Incidence Accordingtomultiplesurveys,approximately10percentofallwomenwhohavebeenmarriedhave been sexually assaulted by a husband or ex-husband. Victims ofwife or partner sexualassaultaremorelikelythanothervictimstobesexuallyassaultedmultipletimes.Somevictimsofmaritalorpartnersexualassaultmayhaveahistoryofbeingphysicallyabusedorhavebeensubjectedtoemotionalorpsychologicalabusefromthissamespouseorpartner.Aspouseorpartnerwhohasexperiencedsuchabuseinthepastmayagreetosexualadvancesinordertominimizetheharmbyresistingaslittleaspossible.

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It is common among battered spouses for the abusive partner to demand sex immediatelyfollowingabeating,asproofthatthebatteredpartner"forgives"thebeating.Whenaspouseorpartnersubmitstosexualactsoutoffearorcoercion,itissexualassault.Victimsofthistypeofabusemaybeeitherwomenormen.

Slide6-3.Results Likeothervictimsofacquaintancesexualassault,theysufferlong-lastingpsychologicaleffects.Maritalorpartnerassaultisespeciallypainfulbecauseitisaviolationoftheirbodiesandtheirtrustbyalovedandtrustedperson.Lawenforcementofficerswhoserveculturallydiversepopulationsmayencounterwomenfromsome cultural backgrounds, such as someHispanic,Middle Eastern, and Asian cultures,whobelieve that their husband is entitled to do anything hewishes to his wife. Officers in suchsituationsmayneedtoexplainthatthelawintheU.S.considerssexualassaultbyaspouseacrime.Thesewomenmayparticularlybenefitfromreferraltoanadvocatefromeitherthesexualassaultcoalitionordomesticviolencegroups.

Slide6-4.MythsaboutSpouseorPartnerSexualAssault Let’sconsidersomemythsandmisconceptionsaboutSpouseorPartnerSexualAssault.

Myth:Ahusbandcannotsexuallyassaulthiswife.

Fact:Anestimated1 in10women is sexual assaultedbyherhusband.Marital sexualassault is recognizedas a crime.Awomanhas the right to say "no" tounwanted sexregardlessofmaritalstatus.Marriagedoesnotimply,andisnotequalto,consenttoanysexualactatanytime.

Myth: If two people are living together and have an intimate relationship, asexualassaultcannotoccur.

Fact:Justbecauseanintimaterelationshipexistsbetweentwopeopleitdoesnotimplyandisnotequaltoconsenttoanysexualactatanytime.

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Lesson07:MaleSexualAssault

Slide7-1.CanHappentoAnyMan Sexualassaultcanhappentoanyoneincludingmen.Thousandsofmenaresexuallyassaultedeveryyear,regardlessoftheirrace,class,age,religion,sexualorientation,size,appearance,orstrength.Amalecanbesexuallyassaultedbyastranger,afamilymember,orsomeoneheknowsandtrusts.Malesexualassaultisanysexualactinwhichamaleisforcedtoparticipatewithoutthatperson'sconsent.Male sexual assault remains vastly underreported; however, the U.S. Department of Justicedocumentsmorethan13,000casesofmalesexualassaulteveryyear.

Slide7-2.SilentCrime Althougha"silentcrime"becauseitisseldomreported,malesexualassaultaccountsforatleast10percentofallsexualassaultsintheU.S.Rateswouldprobablybeevenhigherifmoremalevictimsreportedtheirexperiences.Oursocietyoftenfailstoacknowledgemalesexualassault.Althoughgoodstatisticsarenotkept,basedontheevidencethatdoesexist,morethanhalfofmalesexualassaultvictimsareassaultedbyanacquaintance.About25percentareassaultedbyaspouseorpartner,andonlyabout20percentareassaultedbyastranger.

Slide7-3.HowitHappens Tacticsusedbyperpetratorsofmalesexualassaultincludeintimidationbythreatsorweapons,brute strength, sudden attack, entrapments using drugs or alcohol, and use of authority orpower.Asdiscussedearlier,mencanbesexuallyassaultedbywomen,althoughthesecrimesareseldomreported.Awomanwhoisboss,doctor,therapist,orteacher,orwhoinanyotherwayhaspoweroveraman,cancoercehimintosexagainsthiswill,andfeelconfidentthatthemanwillnotreportit,orifhedoes,willfaceridicule,disbelief,blame,andemasculation.

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Slide7-4.GenderDoesNotMatter Male perpetrators of sexual assault onmales are not necessarily homosexual, nor are theirvictims.One-halfoftheoffendersandone-halfofthevictims inmale-on-malesexualassaultconsiderthemselves strictly heterosexual. For half of all sexual offenders, the gender of the victim isinconsequential.Theirvictimsincludebothmalesandfemales,andbothadultsandchildren.Thevictimisusuallychosenbyaccessibility;thatis,beinginthewrongplaceatthewrongtime,inthewrongcircumstances,ratherthanbygender,sexualorientation,orage.

Slide7-5.Impact Victims ofmale sexual assault, like victims of acquaintance sexual assault, frequently blamethemselvesordonotimmediatelyidentifywhathappenedassexualassault.Knowingthatmalevictimswillnotwanttoreporttheirsexualassault,criminalssometimescommittheadditionalcrimeofsexualassaultagainstmalevictimsofothercrimes.Malevictimsmayhavedifficultyspeakingabouttheassault.Malesexualassaultvictimswhobecomesexuallyaroused,haveanerection,orejaculatemaybeespeciallyembarrassedandconfused,fearingthatitreallydoesmeanthey"enjoyedit."Infact,sexualarousalandejaculationareinvoluntaryphysiologicalreactionsthatdonotmeanconsentorenjoymentofthetraumaticexperience.However,someassailantsmayintentionallygettheirvictimstoejaculatetoconfusethemanddiscouragethemfromreportingtheassault.

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Slide7-6.MythsaboutMaleSexualAssault Let’s explore some of the myths about male sexual assault.

Myth:Menarenotvictimsofsexualassault.Theyhavethephysicalstrengthtooverpoweranypotentialattackerandarerarelysexuallyassaulted.Fact: According to the FBI, an estimated 1 in 7 men is sexually assaulted. It is notimpossibleforamanorawomantophysicallyoverpoweramalevictim.Also,physicalforce isnot theonlymethodused tocommita sexualassault.Aperpetratormayusethreatsorcoercion.Inaddition,thevictimmaybetooshockedorfrightenedtoresistorfightback.

Myth: Real men can't be sexually assaulted. A real man could fight off theperpetratorandprotecthimself.

Fact:Mencanbeandaresexuallyassaulted.Thereisstigmaassociatedwithmalesexualassaultbasedonthemyththatrealmencannotbesexuallyassaulted.Evenmorethanother sexual assault victims, male survivors are likely to be disbelieved, discounted,blamed,andhumiliated.

Myth:Ifaheterosexualmaleissexuallyassaultedheisprobably"actually"gay.

Fact:Anymalecanbesexuallyassaulted.Allmalevictimsfearthattheywillbeseenasemasculatedornotrealmen.Itisimportanttorememberthatmalesexualassault,likeanyotherformofsexualassault,isnotacrimeofsexualgratificationbutaviolentcrimeofpower,control,humiliation,and/oranger.

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Lesson08:SexualAssaultofLesbians&Gays

Slide8-1.Whatisit? Lesbiansandgaymenaresubject to thesamespectrumofsexualviolenceas therestof thepopulation.Likealotofvictimsofsexualassault,lesbianandgayvictimsareforcedorcoercedtoparticipateinunwantedsexualactivity.Thevictimsdonotcausetheirassaultsandarenottoblame. Sexual assault against lesbians and gays are acts of violence, not sex. Assaults aremotivatedprimarilyoutofangerand/oraneedtofeelpowerfulbycontrolling,dominating,orhumiliatingthevictim.Transvestites(peoplewhowearthedressoftheoppositegender)andtransgenderedindividuals(peoplewhohavechangedtheirgenderbysurgeryorhormones)arenotnecessarilyhomosexual.However,theyareoftenperceivedashomosexual,andtheissuesandmotivationssurroundingsexualassaultareessentiallythesameasforgays,lesbians,andbisexuals.

Slide8-2.HateCrimes Approximately 10% of hate crimes against gaymen and lesbians include sexual assault. Thenumberofsexualassaultsthatarehatecrimesisnotwelldocumented.Itissometimesdifficultforlesbiansorgaystodiscernwhethertheywereattackedbecauseoftheirsexualorientation.Alsovictimsofsexualassaultmaynotwishtoreportthattheassaultwasahatecrimebecausetheymayfeardiscrimination.Althoughitisknownthatgaysandlesbiansarevictimsofhatecrimessixtimesmoreoftenthanothervictims,itisnotknownwhetherthisishighforhate-motivatedsexualassaults.Whether gaymenor lesbians face the samedanger fromdate andpartner sexual assault asheterosexualsisunknown,becausefewsuchcrimesarereported.

Slide8-3.VictimsGaysandlesbiansareextremelyvulnerableasvictimsofsexualassaultbecausetheyoftencannotexpectsupportorprotectionfromthecommunityaroundthem.Theymayalreadybeisolatedandshroudedinsecrecybecauseofothers'intolerance.

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Gays and lesbianswho are victims of sexual assaultmay therefore experience compoundedsymptoms and difficulties compared to other victims, and may have a much harder timerecoveringfromthetrauma.Insomeespeciallygruesomecases,bothmembersofasame-sexcouplemaybesexuallyassaulted,multiplyingfurtherdifficultiesinrecovering.Assaultbyanacquaintanceorpartnermaybeespeciallydamagingbecausegaymenandlesbiansmayalreadyfeelunsafe intheheterosexualworld;thus,theassaultdestroystheirsensethatthereisanyonetheycantrustnottohurtthem.

Slide8-4.ImpactonGays Forgaymen,theexperienceofsexualassaultisespeciallytraumaticbecausetheyparticularlyfearbeingkilled,havingreadorheardnewsaccountsofgayvictimsofhate-motivatedsexualassaultandmurder.Theyalsoexperienceallofthedifficultiesdiscussedinrelationtomalesexualassault. They may experience recurring dreams or nightmares of being chased or attacked,chokedorstabbed.

Slide8-5.ImpactonLesbians Sexualassaultalsoexposeslesbianstospecialterrors,especiallyifsexuallyassaultedbymen.Notonlydotheyhavetofearbeingbeatenandmurdered,buttheactofvaginaloranalpenetrationmaybeparticularlytraumatic,medicallyaswellasemotionally.LesbiansmayhaveanespeciallydifficulttimefacingthepossibilityofpregnancyorofinfectionwithHIVorsexuallytransmitteddiseases.

Slide8-6.Myths&Misconceptions Mostpeopledonotthinkaboutthefactthatbothlesbiansandgaysarealsovictimsofsexualassault.Therearealsomythsandmisconceptionsthat impactourunderstandingaboutthesevictimsofsexualassault.Itisimportanttounderstandthatsame-gendersexualassaultdoesnotmeanthevictimortheperpetratorishomosexual.Anothermythaboutsexualassaultonlesbiansandgaysisthattheyaresexualdeviates,rapists,andchildmolesters.Thismythscapegoatslesbiansandgays.Infact,theoverwhelmingmajorityofperpetratorsofsexualviolence,evenagainstpeopleofthesamesex,areheterosexual.

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Lesson09:SexualAssaultoftheElderly&Disabled

Slide9-1.HiddenCrimeWhileotherformsofsexualassaulthavereceivedincreasingattentionfromprofessionalsandthemediaduring recentyears, sexualabuseofelderlyordisabledpersons remains relativelyhidden. This is true partly because sexuality is usually associatedwith younger ormore ablepeople.Sexualassaultof theelderlyordisabled isanysexualactcommittedwithanelder,orwithapersonwho ismentally or physically disabled, andwithout their consent. In some cases, aseverelymentallydisabledpersonmaynotbecapableofgivinginformedconsent.

Slide9-2.Dynamics Giventhatsexualassaultisafunctionofpowerandcontrol,frailolderordisabledpersons,whooftenhavelittlepowerandmaybedependentonothersforcare,canbeextremelyvulnerableto sexual assault. It is most often not the physical attributes of victims but rather theirvulnerabilitythatattractssexualoffenders.Eldersanddisabledpersonsmaybecoercedthroughforce,trickery,threats,orothermeansintosexualcontactagainsttheirwill.Itmaybeginwithcovertactivitiessuchasinappropriateremarksandthreats,andescalatetothefullrangeofsexualassaultbehaviors.Theseindividualsmaybeexploitedthroughprostitution,sadisticacts,andritualisticabuse.

Slide9-3.Perpetrators Elder and disabled victims often have significant impairments leaving them almost totallydependent on others for daily assistance. The majority of sexual assault perpetrators areacquaintances, family members, caregivers, or housekeepers. Most perpetrators are young,single,whitemales.Anelderlyvictimmaysymbolizeanauthorityfigurethattheoffenderwantstocontrolorretaliateagainst.Victimsaresometimesconsideredinferiorordisposablepeoplebytheperpetrator,whichcanleadtheperpetratorstothinkthatsexualassaultofthesevictimsispermissible.

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Slide9-4.Victims Mostelderlyvictimsarefemale,butthereareasignificantnumberofmalevictimsaswell.Therisk of assault-related injury is greater among elderly victims. Elderly victimsmay also havedifficulty speaking about their assault. Individuals with speech and language problems orcognitive impairments may be unable to ask for help or to disclose the abuse to others.Individualswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesormentalillnessareathighrisk.Officersshouldspeakslowly and calmlyusing clear andeasy tounderstand language.Donot assume theyarenotcredible. People with physical challenges, such as speech or hearing, may not have adevelopmentaldisability.Peoplewithdisabilitiesareoftentreatedastheywerechildrenandmaynotbetakenseriously.Moreover,generational issuesof shameand taboomaymake itdifficult forelders todiscusssexualacts.

Slide9-5.ImpactPeoplewithseverelifelongdisabilitiesandelderlypersonswhohavemajorimpairmentsmaynotfeelthatthey"owntheirbodies,"whichareconstantlybeingmanipulatedbyothers.Theymayhaveahardertimedistinguishingbetweenappropriateandinappropriatebehavior.Theyareusuallytaughtusingbothpositiveandnegativereinforcementtocomplywithauthorityfigures,andarethereforeeagertoplease.Theirchoicesareoftennotrespected,sothattheir"no"doesn'talwaysmean"no"toanyofthepeoplearoundthem.Theymaybeisolatedandlackasupportnetwork.Theymayoftenneedtheassistanceofmanycaregivers,whichincreasesthepossibilitythatonewillbeanoffender.In themajority of cases, the assault occurs in the person's home leaving them permanentlyterrified-yetoftenunabletocopewiththedifficultiesofexecutingamovetoanewhome.Elderlyanddisabledpersonsareoftenalreadysubjectto lowself-esteemanddepression,andareathighriskoflosingtheirwilltolivefollowingsexualassault.Slide 9-6. Myths & Misconceptions There are alsomyths andmisconceptions about sexual assault of elders and thosewho aredisabled.Thesepeoplearealsovictimsofsexualassault.

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Myth: People with disabilities and elders are not capable of giving accurateinformationabouttheirsexualassaultduetocognitiveimpairments.

Fact:While inthepastpeoplewithcognitive impairmentshad littleornocredibility iftheydidreportabuse,thereisgrowingawarenessthatthesepeopleareoftenvictimizedinanumberofways.

Myth: Elderly people and thosewith disabilities are rarely sexually assaultedbecausetheyareofteninresidentialplacementswithprofessionalcaregivers.

Fact:Theincidenceofsexualassaultbypredatorswhoselectemploymentascaregivershasgrown.Manystateshaveimplementedpre-employmentcriminalbackgroundchecksinordertodecreasepredatoraccesstovulnerabledisabledvictims.

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Lesson10:Review&Conclusion

ReviewIntroductionThisfirstcourseintheSexualAssaultseriesshouldhaveincreasedyourawarenessofimportantsexualassaultissues,including:

• Stereotypes,assumptions,myths,andmisconceptions,• Changingdynamics,• Acquaintance,spouse,orpartnersexualassault,• Sexualassaultofmen,lesbians,andgays,and• Sexualassaultoftheelderlyanddisabled.

Remember,lawenforcementofficerattitudescanalsohaveaprofoundimpactonthewillingnessofvictimsandotherstoreportsexualassaults,giveevidence,ortoassistwithacase.Now,takeamomenttocheckyourunderstandingofthematerialpresentedinthiscoursebyansweringafewreviewquestions.

Review&ReinforcementQuiz

Question01.Sexualassaultisacrimeofpassion.(ReviewSlide2-1)

o Trueo False

Question02.Trueor false?More sexualassaultsarecommittedby someoneknown to thevictim thanbystrangers.(ReviewSlide2-2)

o Trueo False

Question03.Trueorfalse?Stereotypes,assumptions,andcommonlybelievedmythsaboutsexualassaultscanpervadeeveryone'sthinking,includinglawenforcementofficers.(ReviewSlide2-2)

o Trueo False

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Question04.Lawenforcementofficers’attitudescanhaveaprofoundimpactonthewillingnessofvictimsandothersto__________.Selectallthatapply.(ReviewSlide3-2)

o reportsexualassaultso giveevidenceo assistwithsexualassaultcases

Question05.Victims’fearcanoftenimpacttheirtrustandwillingnesstoreportsexualassaultsduetotheirbeliefthatlawenforcementofficerswill__________.Selectallthatapply.(ReviewSlide3-2)

o askinsensitivequestionso nottaketheirreportseriouslyo blamethevictimsfortheassaults

Question06.Acquaintance sexual assault oftenhas _______devastating effects on its victims than sexualassaultbystrangers.(ReviewSlide5-1)

o Virtuallynoo Lesso Aboutthesameo Evenmore

Question07.Trueorfalse?Maleperpetratorsofsexualassaultonmalesarenotnecessarilyhomosexual,noraretheirvictims.(ReviewSlide7-4)

o Trueo False

Question08.Trueorfalse?Gaysandlesbianswhoarevictimsofsexualassaultmayexperiencecompoundedsymptomsanddifficultiescomparedtoothervictims.(ReviewSlide8-3)

o Trueo False

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Question09.TrueorFalse?Sexualassaultexposeslesbianstospecialterrors,especiallyifsexuallyassaultedbymen.(Slide8-5,A)

o Trueo False

Question10.Themajority of sexual assault perpetrators of elderly and disabled victims are __________.(Selectallthatapply).(Slide9-3)

o acquaintanceso familymemberso caregiverso housekeepers

Conclusion Congratulations!YouhavecompletedUnderstandingSexualAssault.Duringthiscourse,youhavelearnedthatsexualassault isaboutpowerandcontrol,andthatsocializedbeliefshaveledtostereotypes,myths,andassumptionsthatpervadeeverylevelofthinkingaboutsexualassault.Awarenessoftheseassumptions,mythsandmisconceptionswillpreparelawenforcementofficerstospeakwithvictims.Officersshouldalsobepreparedtorespondtopersonswhoholdthesemisconceptionsaboutsexualassault.Theymaybethevictim,asignificantother,orahelpingprofessional.Officershaveanopportunitytoclarifytherealityofsexualassaultswithaccurate,supportiveinformation.Thenextcourseinthisserieswillprovidetrainingon:

• RespondingtoSexualAssaultForadditionalinformationregardingsexualassault,consulttheagenciesandorganizationslistedintheResourcessectionofthecourse.