To discuss sexual violence in the lives of teens

and in ya literature on an ongoing basis

To raise awareness of the issues and titles that
can be used to discuss the topics with teens
To accumulate and present a variety of
resources including reading litst, discussion
guides, etc. to give librarians, educators and
parents the tools they need to discuss these
topics in the lives of teens
To promote teen reading and literature

Project
goals
Project HUB:

http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2014/02/svy
alit-project-index.html

Project Tumblr: http://svyalitchat.tumblr.com/





What youll find:
Book Reviews
Book Lists
Articles on Stats, Current Events, Etc.
Resources like curriculums, book discussion guides
Why?
Current stats indicate that by the time they are 18 1 in 6 girls
and 1 in 8 boys depending on what source you use will be
the victim of some type of sexual violence.

In college, current stats indicate that 1 in 4 female students is
the victim of some type of sexual violence

It is currently understood that incidences of sexual violence are
vastly under reported, which means these stats may in fact be
much higher

Sexual violence can happen to anyone regardless of gender,
race, age, sexual orientation, etc.

The teenage years are both the beginning of identity formation
and the investigation into the realm of sexuality. In fact, the
average age of first sexual experience is 17. We believe that
talking to teens about sex, sexual violence, and consent can
help them make informed, healthy decisions regarding sex and
help them form positive sexual identities and practices.


RAINN: Rape, Abuse and
Incest National Network
Is it too dark?
Some teens are living these stories, reading about
them can give them a voice, help them identify what
abuse is and allows them to seek help.

One goal of reading is to help develop traits like
compassion and empathy. Reading stories like these
can help teens understand what others teens are
going through.

Some teens will be first responders, they will be the
first person a friend tells, these stories can help
them respond in validating ways.

When we give both positive and negative examples
through a variety of books of sexual relationships,
teens can develop the tools and language they need
to navigate personal relationships, establish and
enforce personal boundaries, and be empowered to
say no (or yes) without fear or shame.
Information
is
Empowering
Sexual assault and sexual
violence can mean a variety of
things including:
Exposure or Photography
Exposing to pornography
Sexual harassment
Unwanted touching
Rape
Acquaintance Rape
Sexual Exploitation/Human
Trafficking
For some good definitions, check out this link at RAINN
Some good resources:

Please visit RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest
National Network) to learn more

Stop Street Harassment is an organization dedicated
to raising awareness about Street Harassment

The Good Men Project looks at cultural masculinity
and addresses things like rape culture and more

Dispelling the myth of stranger rape
Truth: most rapes are done by someone known to the victim
Can be members of the family:

A mom or a dad;
A brother or a sister
An aunt or an uncle
A grandparent
Many teens are victims of sexual violence
from a partner. Sometimes this is referred
to as a date rape, but it is really just rape.

Females between the ages of 16 and 24
are roughly 3 times more likely than the
rest of the population to be abused by an
intimate partner.

Violent behavior often begins between
6th and 12th grade. 72% of 13 and 14-
year-olds are dating.

Stats from DoSomething.org
Its not just a womens issue . . .
Truth: Boys are also the victims of sexual violence
RAINN reports that 10% of sexual assault
victims are male.

Recent research indicates that these numbers
may in fact be higher than previously believed
and may be as high as 40%.
Leonard, you know boys can be
raped, right? Forgive Me Leonard
Peacock
Consent
What it is
Consent means that both parties are both able and willing
to consent to some type of sexual interaction with one
another.

Two key points:

Willing Doing so of their own free will

Able Must be of legal age to consent, and be of sound
mind and body.

Consent is more than just an absence of NO. It means that
both parties are saying YES.

Can be withdrawn AT ANY TIME

A yes once is not always a yes
So I have a green light to
continue?
When Sol starts crying in
the midst of sex, DArcy
asks her if this is still what
she wants.
Consent
What it isnt
Most states have laws regarding who can
consent. Check your local laws.

Typically, the age of consent is 16.

There usually cant be more than 3 years age
difference if one of the parties is under the age
of 18.

If a person is intoxicated or under the influence
of drugs, their ability to consent is
compromised. See: How Do You Deal with a
Drunk Girl Passed Out on Your Couch?

This Song Will Save Your Life has a great scene
in a club that addresses the issue of intoxication
and consent.
Consent
What it isnt
Emotional manipulation is not consent.

Threats of physical violence is not consent.

Telling a girl you will get sick or things like blue balls
is not consent.

Telling your partner they would do it if they loved you
is not consent.

Threatening your partner that you can always get it
somewhere else is not consent.

Consent happens when both partners feel safe,
respected and free to give or withhold consent of
their own volition.
Understanding the various ways that teens
react to sexual violence through YA lit
Withdrawal Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Taking sexual risks, acting out sexually Where the
Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller and Fault Line by
Christa Desir
The use of drugs and alcohol Gospel of Winter by
Brendan Kiely
Disassociation and other mental health issues
Charm & Strange by Stephanie Khuen
Shame, doubt and guilt Live Through This by
Mindi Scott
Typical signs of sexual abuse in
adolescents:
Self-injury (cutting, burning)
Inadequate personal hygiene
Drug and alcohol abuse
Sexual promiscuity
Running away from home
Depression, anxiety
Suicide attempts
Fear of intimacy or closeness
Compulsive eating or dieting
Source: Stop It Now.Org
Why do we care about slut shaming?
The lack of adequate sexual education programming in many schools
leads to a mythology around sexual agency, particularly with girls.

Girls who are considered easy or are sexually active are often blamed
for sexual violence that is done to them.

Girls who are shamed for their sexuality are often voiceless when it
comes to harassment, sexual violence, dating violence, etc.

Creates a mythology for boys as well, where their own stereotypes of
how they should act can put them in uncomfortable positions.

Sex Positive YA Lit
What it includes:

Affirmative consent from both parties.

Honesty. (Sometimes awkwardness)

Real depictions of struggles over sexuality, agency, decision-
making, etc.

Characters are richly developed and have lives where their
sexuality is one aspect of their character.

Karen's List
Christa's List
Carrie's List
What can you do?
Know the Law
Are you a mandated reporter?
What steps will your administrators want you to take if you
suspect abuse is occurring or if a teen reveals to you?
Write a staff policy, train staff on the policy, and enforce the
policy.
Create safe spaces
Have a code of conduct for staff and patrons
Post your code of conduct so that expectations are clear
Train staff about the issues and how to respond if complaints
are made
Enforce your code of conduct. If lewd comments are made, ask
the offending party to leave for a specified period of time. If the
action calls for it, call in local authorities.
Know resources in your local community to refer teens to
Provide educational opportunities for members of your community
Some hospitals have SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners)
that will come do educational seminars
Local crisis centers can also do some educational seminars
Use the books mentioned in the #SVYALit Project to have
community reads and discussions.
Investigate
Equip
Empower
Because No Always Mean No, a list of books dealing with sexual assault
Take 5: Difficult books on an important topic (sexual violence)
Take 5: Sexual Violence in the Life of Boys
The Gospel of Winter by Brendan Kiely
Thinking About Boys, Sex, and Sex & Violence by Carrie Mesrobian
What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton
Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
September Girls by Bennett Madison
Discussing THE S WORD by Chelsea Pitcher, a guest post by Lourdes Keochgerien
5 Reasons I Loved Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
Charm and Strange by Stephanie Khuen
The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Uses for Boys by Erica Loraine Scheidt
Killer Instinct by S. E. Green
Live Through This by Mindi Scott

Book Discussion Guides
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Canary by Rachele Alpine
Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield (also deals with self-harm)

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What is Rape Culture?
What "Rape Culture" Means
Systemic Barriers: Gender Socialization | Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center
Ending Widespread Violence Against Women: Promoting Gender Equality: UNFPA
Myth and Facts about Sexual Abuse, Violence and Rape (from 1 in 6)
A Guide to Male Sale Assault from RAINN
Why We Need to Talk to Our Sons About Rape
Rape is Grossly Underreported in the U.S., study finds
Speak and Steubenville: Can YA Help?
Now and Forever: The Power of Sex in Young Adult Literature
Why YA Sex Scenes Matter
Let's (Not) Get it On: Girls and Sex in Young Adult Literature by Amanda McGregor, VOYA
(February 2004, pages 464-468)
The Steubenville Rape Case: How to talk to your teen about sexual assault
How to Talk to Your Son about Date Rape
NPR: How Parents Talk to Children about Consent
High School Students Teach Us How to Talk about Rape
Self Care After Rape
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign website also have a tremendous number of
resources
Launching a Dialogue About Sexual Violence in YA Litand in Real Life at School Library
Journal
How Librarians Can Help Fight the Culture of Slut Shaming, SLJ

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