Homework

Overview

There are still five sections below:

1. Recap — a review of what we covered in class
2. Reading — from your handout packet. This will tell you the key points you need to know.
3. Video — YouTube, Vimeo, or other videos to augment a point.
4. To Do — this is your homework. Please do it.
5. QUIZ – this section asks a few questions. If there’s a topic you want to make sure we cover in our final session, this it the place to ask.

Look over all these sections. This will not take a lot of time, but will make a big difference in your mastery and retention of the material.

Recap

In this fourth session you learned some basic ground fighting, as well as how many rapists set up their sexual assaults.

You recalled that every attacker needs (1) a target, and (2) an opportunity. You learned some specific ways that attackers find their targets and create their opportunities for sexual assault.

Sexual assault is not caused by the target. It happens because a rapist is present.

• • Those who target women, especially younger women (teen or college girls, or younger) are not looking for a sparring partner or a workout buddy. They are looking for someone who they believe they can intimidate into silence, or who is sufficiently naive to go along with their plans, or is impaired in some way (for instance, disabled girls and women are at higher risk of sexual assault, as are those who have been drinking alcohol, using recreational drugs, or even taking prescription medication that causes drowsiness).

• Common ways that attackers create opportunities are:
  • Isolation – using ploys and manipulations to remove the target from sight and earshot of others.
    • Physical – just you and them, alone.
    • Social – maybe lots of people are around, but they’re not your group of friends and may not be watching out for your safety.
    • Financial – important in domestic violence, where abuser controls all the money and you have no say in how, when, and where it is spent.
  • Impairing the target
    • Alcohol, recreational drugs, date-rape drugs – alcohol and/or drugs is involved in 91% of sexual assaults on college women.
    • Intimidation and threats.
    • Restraining the target, by leaning on, cornering, or trapping her.
    • Active violence (less likely than restraint) – punching, kicking, choking, and other physically violent means to intimidate and imply that she better comply or she could get hurt worse.
  • Undercutting the target’s sense of self-worth – saying and doing things, little and big, that put down the target, embarass them in front of family and friends, cause them to doubt their own judgment. This is a slow erosion over time, and is critical in abusive relationships.
    • Look at your handout about Red Flags. These Red Flags may not scream “Abuser Alert!” They are reminders that this person is doing something you’re not comfortable with, and you should pay further attention to figure out their intention.