Mike DomitrzPresident, Author, and Speaker on Respect, The Center for Respect, Inc. · Author & Speaker on Respect for Schools, Corporations, & the Military since 1990 (has reached

Calling sexual assault sexual assault is important to stop the crime from happening.

19 Jul 2024 · 1 min

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In this segment of a bystander‑intervention training, the presenter stresses the critical need to label sexual violence explicitly rather than using euphemisms. Using a party scenario with characters Jesse and Erin, the speaker asks the audience to estimate, on a 0‑100 scale, the likelihood that Jesse will attempt a non‑consensual sexual act after feeding drinks all night. Participants vocalize high probability estimates (70‑99%), illustrating how naming the risk as a potential "sexual assault" triggers attention and responsibility. The speaker underscores that precise language prompts listeners to act, while vague terms like "taking advantage" or "drunk hookup" often lead to inaction.

Chapters

We gotta call the crime what it is. This is so important around these conversations. That means, at the party, when we see this scene, refer to it exactly what it is. You say taking advantage, nobody does anything. You say drunk hookup, nobody does anything. You say, I'm concerned about a sexual assault occurring, people start listening. And by the way, could you be wrong? Could you be wrong that that's not what's gonna happen here? Yes. You could be. What are the odds? What are the odds if Jesse's feeding this person drinks all night that Jesse's going to try to get this person alone in a sexual situation? On a 0 to 100, what do you think the odds are? Somebody yelled 5, but I heard 90. Seriously, yell out what you think. 0 to 100, the odds Jesse's going to attempt something sexual that night with Erin. Yell out the numbers. All right, I am hearing 70, 95, 99, 70. So you're giving me at least, at least like an 82-83% chance something sexual is going to be attempted when this person cannot consent.