CW: sexual assault - I've shared my story. I woke up at around 8:40 am to the pain of being raped.  I saw my rapist standing at the foot of the bed, naked, holding his penis, staring down at where he had just penetrated me – the expression on his face is seared in my mind because he looked as if he had really enjoyed what he had just done to me. Then, I did everything "right." I told 911 what happened IMMEDIATELY, the rape kit was performed IMMEDIATELY, I told the detective on record what happened IMMEDIATELY. Nearly three and a half years later we met again in court. I stood before the jury and swore to tell the truth and I did. During the closing arguments, I heard the recording of the detective asking him, "Is there any reason why I will find your DNA inside of her vagina?" I heard him say, "No." The DNA results came back - every single swab, from my vagina, cervix, buttocks, anus, legs - every single swab came back positive for his DNA. However, I was failed by my peers to hold my rapist accountable. They said, "We believe her," but they still found him not guilty. I will never be able to comprehend their decision. To believe me, but to not hold him accountable. Our society needs to change.

Thank you for listening to my story - now it’s time to act. I believe one powerful way forward would be to have mandatory sex ed & CONSENT classes taught in all schools - Lily’s Law. Did you know that sex ed is only mandatory in 24 states and the District of Columbia AND that only 8 states require sex ed classes to mention consent? Please sign to support a better future where consent is never a question, but a deeply understood and respected way of life.

Thank you, Samantha.

(& additional readings below):

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Teaching Consent to Elementary Students - Teaching consent in the elementary grades means using nonsexual situations to guide students to assert and respect boundaries.

‘Consent is often linked to sex, but it simply means giving permission.’

https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-consent-elementary-students - by Emelina Minero

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To Empower Young People, Schools Should Teach Students About Consent

‘Our laws and policies should honor and respect both parents’ and communities’ values. But they should be grounded in reality, or our daughters and sons will pay a steep price.’

https://www.forbes.com/sites/catherinebrown/2018/10/12/to-empower-young-people-schools-should-teach-students-about-consent/amp/ - by Catherine Brown

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Consent at Every Age - Strategies for educators on how to talk to your students about respecting one another’s boundaries — from preschool to high school

https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/18/12/consent-every-age - by Grace Tatter

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Only these 8 states require sex education classes to mention consent. 

"You have some states that are teaching inaccurate information," she said.

"Students deserve to have age-appropriate, helpful information about how to behave in intimate relationships."

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/09/29/health/sex-education-consent-in-public-schools-trnd/index.html - by Christina Maxouris and Saeed Ahmed, CNN 

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We're Teaching Consent All Wrong

‘Instead, researchers and educators offer an alternative: Teach consent as a life skill—not just a sex skill—beginning in early childhood, and begin discussing consent and communication in the context of relationships by 5th or 6th grades, before kids start seriously thinking about sex.’

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/01/09/were-teaching-consent-all-wrong.html - by Sarah D. Sparks

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Consent Still Isn’t Taught In Schools. Here’s How Sex Educaators Want To Fix That.

‘Consent is the foundational aspect of a healthy sexual exchange, but it's a concept that's unfortunately, and dangerously, misunderstood.’

‘Excellent consent education begins long before youth are sexually active, Solot says, and sex education and consent is a topic we should be addressing in kindergarten and early elementary school. It would center around reading body language and facial expressions, and respectfully communicating and receiving boundaries.’

https://www.bustle.com/p/consent-still-isnt-taught-in-schools-heres-how-sex-educators-want-to-fix-that-19197902 - By Annakeara Stinson