Unpacking Sexual Assault

Rumors circulated campus for several months before school leadership found out.

I remember the moments after they notified teachers. Señora Lopez entered the classroom asking, ¿están bien?, are you all okay?

We nodded our heads to the affirmative, but we certainly were not alright.

An underclassman female student and a group of male hockey players shared a sexual experience. Students divided their support, with many saddened after the expulsions.

High school, ripe with affirming and exploratory sexual encounters, is also home to experiences that challenge our understanding of fairness, boundaries, gender, and respect.

As parents wrestle with realizations of their own children as sexual beings, there may be attempts to control sexual behavior. But exposure to sexual relations will come — and sometimes through sexual assault.

Support your students in the following ways after a campus sexual assault is publicized.

• Ask if your student knew any of the students involved. Create a shame- and guilt-free space for your student to share their relationship with the students, their knowledge of the assault, and any feelings and questions that arose after the assault.

• Use the assault as an opportunity to review your family’s sexual values and detail expectations for sexual activity, safety, and consent.

• Contact your student’s advisor and ask for a review of the school’s sexual assault policy, and inquire about any behavioral concerns.