Kidpower Colorado is dedicated to providing empowering,
effective workshops to help reduce the risk of sexual violence.
Far too many are harmed by sexual abuse, harassment, assault, and rape at school, at work, at home, and in our communities – in person and online. Too often, this harm happens between intimate partners.
Though anyone can become the target of sexual violence, discrimination based on gender and sexuality leads to much higher rates of sexual violence directed toward women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ people.
We have the power to change many of tomorrow’s stories of sexual violence into stories of safety.
How can we protect and empower our kids?
We can do this by speaking and acting in ways that change norms that excuse, overlook, or minimize sexual violence and the profound harm that it causes. To make this kind of change, people of all ages and walks of life need:
- awareness of what safe and unsafe sexual behavior looks, sounds, and feels like;
- understanding of the harm done when anyone has their sexual well being violated in any way for any reason;
- skills for taking charge of the emotional and physical safety of themselves and others;
- skills for expressing and withdrawing consent, setting and upholding boundaries, and respecting others’ boundaries.
While we teach young people powerful skills to reduce their risk, assault is never the fault or responsibility of the person who is assaulted no matter what they do, what they wear, where they go, if substances are used, and no matter what type of relationship the victim has to the person who is abusing them. It is fully the responsibility of the person who assaults, and they are the only person responsible for prevention. If any of us (or anyone we know) are in a situation like this, how we respond is always a choice and there is always help available.
What is Positive Consent?
Positive Consent means that each person:
- gets to choose to participate – or not;
- can change their mind at any time;
- will have their decision to stop be respected, right away – no matter what.
People of any age may at times feel pressured to engage in sexual activities, even when they really don’t want to. No matter what a person’s age or gender, everyone should know how to respond safely in these situations, from setting clear boundaries, to defending themselves, verbally or physically against unwanted sexual advances, to the choice of getting help from trusted adults.
For additional resources on consent, boundaries, and protecting sexual safety, visit our extensive library of articles on our Kidpower International website.
