ALEX: It took me a while to not just understand, but truly believe, that what happened to me wasn’t my fault.
MALCOLM: Sexual misconduct is never the victim’s fault.
ALEX: Even though it wasn’t my fault, I don’t want anything like that to ever happen to me again. There are things we can all do to try to stay safer.
MALCOLM: Like staying alert and being aware of our surroundings.
ALEX: Sticking with people we know and trust. There’s strength in numbers.
MALCOLM: And if you’re drinking, watch your drink so no one spikes it, and know your limits.
ALEX: Yeah, I want to remember the fun times I have.
MALCOLM: And if you’re posting those memories as they happen, make sure you’re just posting to your friends. So the whole world doesn’t know where you are.
Staying Safe:
MALCOLM: Okay, so, what if you do find yourself in an uncomfortable situation with someone?
ALEX: If it’s safe, the most straightforward thing to do is be direct and tell them to stop. If you don’t think it would be safe, or if you feel uncomfortable being direct, make an excuse to leave. It’s okay to lie.
MALCOLM: One night this person kept hitting on me and wasn’t listening when I said I wasn’t interested. I decided to lie and say I was feeling sick.
ALEX: It could also be a good idea to take a self defense class. Physical violence is always a last resort, but better to know how to defend yourself and never have to, than to not have that option.
MALCOLM: It’s also totally fine to ask someone else for help.
ALEX: That could mean finding someone nearby or calling or texting someone.
MALCOLM: Yeah, always have your phone on you, and don’t let it die.
ALEX: Uhhhh yeah. I’m that friend who’s always at three percent, so don’t be like me!
Leaving an Uncomfortable Situation:
MALCOLM: A lot of harmful stuff that happens actually happens inside relationships. So it’s also important to make sure our relationships are healthy.
ALEX: Of course, physical or sexual violence is never okay. That’s a clear sign of a toxic relationship.
MALCOLM: But there are other signs that are a little harder to catch.
ALEX: For example, all couples have an occasional disagreement and that’s okay. But, you should never feel worried to speak up and disagree with your partner. If you think you can’t share your opinions, that might actually be a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
MALCOLM: Let’s take a moment to look at some other red flags in a relationship.
Select all the signs of an unhealthy relationship:
Unhealthy:
Healthy:
Select all the signs of an unhealthy relationship:
Unhealthy:
Healthy:
ALEX: Thank you for learning ways to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
MALCOLM: Make sure you go to the Resources section for specific information about your school’s policies and support services.
ALEX: We hope you take the lessons you learned today and use them to help you and the people around you.
MALCOLM: Because that’s how we stop sexual misconduct. We all need to be aware and contribute, even in small ways, to build a safer culture. Thanks again!
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for professionals.
RAINN
Provides programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Know Your IX
A survivor- and youth-led project that aims to empower students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools.
This concludes the simulation. Please click the link below to request a certificate of completion.