SVYALit Project Index
Using Young Adult literature to talk with teens about sexual violence and consent
Project Goals:
- To discuss sexual violence in the lives of teens and in ya literature on an ongoing basis
- To raise awareness of the issues and titles that can be used to discuss the topics with teens;
- To give librarians, educators and parents the tools to evaluate and discuss these topics in the lives of teens;
- To promote teen reading and literature
The #SVYALit Presentation : The issues, the books, and what we can do with this information
Statistics & Essential Information
It is estimated that anywhere between 1 out of 6 to as high as 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 7 to as high as 1 out of 5 boys is the victim of some type of sexual violence by the time they reach age 18. It is also believed that true statistics are higher than we think because the incidences of abuse are under-reported. (Sources: 1 in 4 ; The CDC ; The Advocacy Center, RAINN)
In the US, someone is raped every 2 minutes. (RAINN)
For every 161 rape cases filed, only 1 is found to be a false accusation. This is important because it means that more than 99% of rape allegations are true. If someone tells you they are the victim of sexual violence, you should believe them.
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17% of the 2.5 million homeless youth leave home due to sexual violence
“A new study has found that many adolescent girls view sexual violence and harassment a normal part of middle school and high school life. The disturbing findings of the “Normalizing Sexual Violence” study, being published in the next issue of the journal Gender & Society, expose “how objectification, sexual harassment and abuse are viewed as everyday experiences for many young women.” – from A Might Girl’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/amightygirl/posts/666158020087181
The Normalizing Sexual Violence study can be found here: http://gas.sagepub.com/content/28/3/337
The #SVYALit Project Resource Guide: outside resources for important information, support and teaching tools
Talking with a Teen Book Club using #SVYALit Titles (a discussion by Amanda MacGregor)
Some links regarding false reports/accusations – which account for less than 8% of all charges filed
What we can learn about the gift of security and foundation from Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt (by Christa Desir)
Book Reviews and Booklists
Because No Always Mean No, a list of books dealing with sexual assault
Take 5: Difficult books on an important topic (sexual violence)
Take 5: Sexual Violence in the Life of Boys
The Gospel of Winter by Brendan Kiely
Thinking About Boys, Sex, and Sex & Violence by Carrie Mesrobian
What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton
Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
September Girls by Bennett Madison
Discussing THE S WORD by Chelsea Pitcher, a guest post by Lourdes Keochgerien
5 Reasons I Loved Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
Charm and Strange by Stephanie Khuen
The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Uses for Boys by Erica Loraine Scheidt
Killer Instinct by S. E. Green
Live Through This by Mindi Scott
A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller
Some Boys by Patty Blount
Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis
Everybody Sees the Ants by A. S. King (guest post by Bryson McCrone)
Why Norman, OK Matters: at look at what happens when students disclose rape allegations w/book list
A Reflection on Everybody Sees the Ants by A. S. King (guest post by Bryson McCrone)
Thinking About Althea & Oliver by Cristina Moracho (with input from Robert Bittner)
Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Inexcusable by Chris Lynch
I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
Book Review: Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E. K. Johnston
Book Review: Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
Sex/Consent Positive Titles: Karen’s List Christa’s List Carrie’s List
Discussion Posts
Should there be sex in YA books?
An Anonymous Letter to Those Who Would Ban Eleanor and Park
Who Will Save You? Boundaries, Rescue and the Role of Adults in YA Lit. A look at consent and respecting boundaries in relationships outside of just sex.
Loud and Clear: A Reflection on Teaching SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson in the Classroom
Christa Writes: Sexual Violence in YA Lit
Slut Shaming part 1 and part 2
Talk About Sex: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Why Talking About the Age of Consent Matters
Canary, Consent and Athlete Adoration
Honoring the Survivors, a look at The Gospel of Winter
Book Review: Uses for Boys by Erica Lorainne Scheidt
On Unhealthy Relationships in YA Lit by Christa Desir
Slut Shaming Hurts Guys, too by Jennifer Mathieu
Book Review: Live Through This by Mindi Scott
True Confessions of a Former Slut Shamer
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, a reflection on victim blaming by author Patty Blount
More on How We Fail Male Survivors of Sexual Violence
In Which I am Concerned about the Things John Grisham has Said about Child Pornography
Sam Pepper, YouTube and Teen Culture
Mirror, Mirror: Discussing the Representation of Sexual Violence Survivors in Stitching Snow, a guest post by author R. C. Lewis
Middle Grade Fiction on Sexual Violence
Pandemic by Yvonne Ventresca
A discussion for First Responders part 1 and part 2
How to get teens involved in a safe by critical discussion about sex, sexual violence and consent
Consent is Sexy, Consent is Required, a discussion of THE DEVIL YOU KNOW by Trish Doller
Talking About Those Girls: A Guest Post by Kelly Brocklehurst
Sexual Violence and Male Survivors: a Dialogue between Two Male Survivors Who Are Thriving
Sunday Reflections: How We Talk About the Victims of Sexual Abuse Matters
Sexual Exploitation, 2 YA Titles That Explore Child Pornography and the Life of Teens (Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver and A Work of Art by Melody Maysonet)
The Trouble with Telling, author Kristin Halbrook discusses her new release EVERY LAST PROMISE
She is Safe? A Personal Reflection for Sexual Assualt Awareness Month
ALL THE RAGE and rape culture, Trish Doller interviews author Courtney Summers
Survivor Stories and the Decision to Go Public, a guest post by Christa Desir
Bone Gap and Survivor Stories, a guest post by author Laura Ruby
The Distance Between Lost and Found, part 2: Sex, Power, Politics and The Church
Author Christa Desir discusses the Voices and Faces Project
Author Heather Demetrios discusses sexual choices & boundaries in I’ll Meet You There
Bearing Witness to Violence, a guest post by author Eric Devine
Why Norman, OK Matters – a look at what happens when students come forward with rape allegations
Recap and Video of the second panel discussing Charm & Strange, Canary, and The Gospel of Winter
Recap and Video of the third panel discussing Pointe and Faking Normal
Recap and Video of the fifth panel discussing Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A. S. King
Talking with Teens About Street Harassment
Street Harassment
Stop Street Harassment Week (information and stats)
What It’s Like for a Girl: How Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama made me think about the politics of sexuality in the life of girls
That Time Matt Smith Perpetuated Street Harassment Culture at Comic Con
New Street Harassment Report Results
Talking with Teens About Human Trafficking
Read Kimberly Purcell’s TRAFFICKED for a look at this issue and read her post about writing the book
Human Trafficking: YOU can get involved
The Slave Across the Street
Talking with Teens About Consent
Sexual Assault Awareness Month, talking to teens about consent and rape part 1 and part 2
This is What Consent Looks Like
The Curios Case of the Kissing Doctor and Consent
Sex/Romance in Fiction (including a Ted talk on Making Sexing Normal) by Carrie Mesrobian
Why Talking with Teens About the Age of Consent Matters
On Teachable Moments and Consent
Talking with Teens About Slut Shaming
Slut Shaming part 1 and part 2
Discussing THE S WORD by Chelsea Pitcher, a guest post by Lourdes Keochgerien
Slut Shaming Hurts Guys, too by Jennifer Mathieu
True Confessions of a Former Slut Shamer
A couple of links of note on the topic of slut shaming
SLJ article: How librarians can help in the fight the culture of slut shaming
Sexual violence and GLBTQ
Part 1: Sexual violence inside (and because of) the closet by Anthony Isom
Books with Sex or Consent Positive Examples
Karen’s List
Christa’s List
Carrie’s List
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Talking About Triggers and After Care (Important Additional Resources)
Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Rape Awareness: Triggers
Tips for Friends and Family of Rape and Sexual Abuse Survivors
RAINN: Self Care for Survivors
Talking About Hazing
Breaking Tradition: Brutal Youth author Anthony Breznican on the fight against hazing
Initiation Secrets: Press Play and a look at hazing rituals by Eric Devine
Bearing Witness to Violence, a guest post by Eric Devine
Take 5: Five thoughts I had while reading Brutal Youth
Book Discussion Guides
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Canary by Rachele Alpine
Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield (also deals with self-harm)
Additional Resources
What is Rape Culture?
What “Rape Culture” Means
Systemic Barriers: Gender Socialization | Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center
Ending Widespread Violence Against Women: Promoting Gender Equality: UNFPA
Myth and Facts about Sexual Abuse, Violence and Rape (from 1 in 6)
A Guide to Male Sale Assault from RAINN
Speak and Steubenville: Can YA Help?
Now and Forever: The Power of Sex in Young Adult Literature
Why YA Sex Scenes Matter
Let’s (Not) Get it On: Girls and Sex in Young Adult Literature by Amanda McGregor, VOYA (February 2004, pages 464-468)
The Steubenville Rape Case: How to talk to your teen about sexual assault
How to Talk to Your Son about Date Rape
NPR: How Parents Talk to Children about Consent
High School Students Teach Us How to Talk about Rape
Self Care After Rape
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign website also have a tremendous number of resources
Stop Street Harassment is an organization dedicated to raising awareness about Street Harassment
The Good Men Project looks at cultural masculinity and addresses thinks like rape culture and more
Follow the #SVYALit Tumblr for updates and additional posts
This index will be updated on an ongoing basis
How to Use the #SVYALit Project Index:
“Books are a safe way to help teens process topics we know they are thinking about. Here are some things you can do in your library to get the discussion going in your library—and also implement ways to help teens who themselves have been impacted by SV.
- Contact your local hospital and see if they have a SANE nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner). SANE nurses can come to your school and library and give talks about healthy relationships, consent, unhealthy and abusive relationships, recognizing the signs of sexual violence and more. They will usually do this for free as part of their outreach.
- Put together a panel of local communities who work with youth to discuss the various resources in your immediate community that can help teens. Or have a health fair and include this type of information.
- Have a book discussion group on the various titles we are discussing in SVYALit, and watch the author discussion panels.
- At the very least, share relevant information with your community by building displays, putting together booklists and resources, and discussion guides. For example, a variety of discussion guides for Speak can be found online.
There is evidence to suggest that promoting gender equality can help decrease sexual violence. So consider creating integrated book displays based on themes like plagues, dystopians, action and adventure, etc. instead of promoting gendered displays like “boy books” and “girl books.” See also: Boys Will Be Boys and Girls Will Be Accomodating by author Laurel Snyder.” – excepted from Launching a Dialogue About Sexual Violence in YA Lit—and in Real Life at School Library Journal
The #SVYALit Project appears in the April 2014 edition of School Library Journal on Page 18
Filed under: #SVYALit, Sexual Violence, Teen Issues
About Karen Jensen, MLS
Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).
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This whole project has just been amazing. I really, really appreciate all the hard work y'all have put into this.
Thank you so much, we greatly appreciate it.
Karen
Thank you so very much, we appreciate this feedback. It is so important to us and it is nice to know that people are reading. I hope we can make a difference in some way.
I think the link to the “Project Outline an Schedule is Broken”.
Emily, we recently migrated from Blogger to WordPress as part of our transition to the SLJ network and their technical people are working on fixing all the link re-directs. Apparently some of the links got lost in translation. I apologize for the inconvience.
But we’re working on putting together a schedule for 2015 so be looking for that.
Karen
I think we have fixed the broken links now.
Karen
Before I became a teacher, I was a sexual assault crisis counselor for my county’s women’s center. I did that work sometimes as a volunteer and sometimes as a paid employee for 15 years. This is a wonderful resource and as you all already know, a very needed one. Many thanks for this.