Awareness

April is sexual assault awareness month.

Things I grew up knowing about sexual assault:

- it's sex but it hurts more

- it's wrong

- be scared of strange men

Things I knew about sexual assault as an adult before I was sexually assaulted:

- it's violent

- it's nonconsensual

- if someone is drunk then they're not able to consent

- roofies are drugs that predators can put in your drink and they make it easier for you to be assaulted

- taking legal action against someone who has sexually assaulted you is an invasive, often traumatic process which rarely results in them getting more than a slap on the wrist if they're a white man

- rape kits are a thing that exist

- consent is clear, usually verbal, and ongoing

- the number of people who lie about being sexually assaulted is miniscule compared to the number of people who are sexually assaulted and never report it. believe survivors.

- not all perpetrators of sexual assault are men, and not all survivors are women

- be careful of men at parties

Things I now know about sexual assault:

- just because you're dating/in a romantic relationship with someone doesn't mean they can't sexually assault you

- fight and flight are not the only two stress responses

- a survivor's healing process is more important than whatever happens to a perpetrator

- a lot of white cis men will act "woke" to get in your pants, fuck you, and disappear before they have to deal with any consequences

- sexual assault is not always physically violent and it does not always hurt, but that doesn't make it any less traumatic