A date rape awareness program for grade 9 students

• Published in: Alberta counsellor 2002-04, Vol.27 (1), p.22
• Main Author: Wood, Connie L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dating (Social); Secondary level; Sex education
• ISSN: 0382-5167

Rape is defined generally as sexual intercourse forced on one person by another. Rape by a stranger is the least common form of rape, and rape by an acquaintance has become an increasingly common experience for school-aged females in Canada and the United States. Society generally attributes more blame to and has less sympathy for victims of acquaintance rape than victims of rape by a stranger (Johnson 1995). Curtis (1997) writes, "Despite the violent nature of acquaintance rape, the belief that many victims are actually willing, consenting participants is held by both men and women alike." He also notes, "People normally relied upon for support by the survivor are not immune to subtly blaming the victim." Thus, it is not uncommon for adolescent males and females, who are in the process of learning appropriate social attitudes toward sex and dating, to deny that forced sex between acquaintances is a form of rape. At this point, I formally introduced the topic of date rape by defining it and describing its prevalence in North America. I emphasized that, in many cases of date rape, neither party understands that a rape has occurred because both adhere to dating myths. The key to preventing date rape, I asserted, is clear communication of intent between dating partners. I explained that date rape can be psychologically devastating for the female (for example, lowered self-esteem or compromised ability to trust future partners) and for the male if his behavior continues and he cannot form lasting relationships or is eventually charged with rape. I began the third session by playing the video Dating, Sex, and Trouble: Acquaintance Rape (1990), stopping it when appropriate to review previously discussed information, emphasize statistics and answer questions. Then I distributed a handout entitled "What You Need to Know About Date Rape," which reinforced the information highlighted on the video. The handout contained information reflecting the research suggesting that those exhibiting certain attitudes and/or behaviors are more likely to force sex on a partner or to accept forced sex (Felty, [Ainslie] and [Geib] 1991; Himelein, Vogel and [D. G. Wachowiak] 1994; Hughes and Sandler 1987; Page 1997). It also stated that the two most effective methods of preventing date rape include coupling verbal refusal with physical force (Zoucha-Jensen and Coyne 1993) and making dating choices that acknowledge the prevalence and power of dating myths ([Curtis] 1997). As well, the