Discussing and Defining Sexual Assault: A Classroom Activity

Abstract

The author devised a classroom activity that facilitates discussion and increases awareness about sexual assault. Students read scenarios involving sexual situations that varied in ambiguity, then labeled whether the situations involved a sexual assault. Students also gave their definitions of sexual assault and completed an evaluation of the activity. Results showed that students have difficulty labeling certain situations as sexual assault even though they meet the legal definition, and that their definitions are significantly more accurate after activity and discussion.

Keywords:

• classroom activity
• legal definition
• sexual assault