How Language Helps Shape Our Response to Sexual Violence

When discussing sexual violence, we often use the language of consensual sex to describe assaultive acts or use euphemisms, erotic, or affectionate terms to portray violent acts. This language implies consent and romance, rather than criminal acts. In addition, we tend to describe violence against women in passive terms, which allows the perpetrators of this violence to remain invisible and unaccountable. We also use language that objectifies or blames sexual assault victims. This interactive session will explore the language of sexual assault: how we talk about and write about this crime. We will discuss specific examples of the language we use and explore how to discuss sexual assault in a way that more accurately depicts the crime. This session is applicable to all members of the response team who work with survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Presented by Claudia Bayliff, an attorney and educator with twenty-nine years of experience working on issues related to sexual assault.

The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this webinar are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

CE Credits are no longer available for this recorded online event. A certificate of attendance can be obtained by following the instructions listed in the Webinar FAQs below.

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CE Credits are no longer available for this recorded online event; however, a certificate of attendance can be obtained.

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This video is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

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