Talking With Teens About Sexual Assault: From High School to College

In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron thoughtfully discuss sexual assault prevention for teens and young adults. As teens and young adults head to college and/or spend more time with friends in new environments, parents can worry about how to best prepare them for real-world risks of assault, while also supporting their growing independence. This episode helps parents gain a nuanced understanding of current factors related to sexual assault and ways to minimize risk. Suggestions are provided regarding how to communicate with their teens and empower them to make planful, confident, and informed choices.Dr. Allen and Dr. Caron explore:• Why open conversations about safety are critical for teens• How to talk about sexual assault prevention in a clear, age-appropriate way• The role of alcohol and parties, and its relation to risk of assault• Strategies for setting boundaries and recognising red flags• What healthy peer support and bystander intervention look like• Actionable suggestions that parents can share with teens.Here are some highlights from this episode:00:00 – College parties can be fun and risky at the same time03:08 – How Dialectical Thinking helps parents handle tough topics with teens05:10 – Campuses tend to be very safe, except for sexual assaults09:00 – Five strategies a teen can do to minimize risk10:43 – The importance of protecting your drink and how to do so12:15 – What healthy peer support looks like14:42 – Teaching teens to speak up and step in16:28 – How to protect friends and peers, safely18:33 – Recap of 5 strategies to decrease risk of sexual assault19:48 – Sexual assault prevention starts at home21:32 – Dialectical thinking helps parent-teen communication and problem solving23:15 – Acknowledging difficult subjects when feeling unpreparedIf you’ve ever worried about your teen being vulnerable in college or social settings, this episode will give you actionable tools to keep them safe and empowered.⬇️ For downloadable resources for teens/young adults and parents, based on this episode:📝 Tip Sheet for Parents: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGxSkkYrF4/p5LmYFhAgSxHrXLxER54fA/view?utm_content=DAGxSkkYrF4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h2f7135e34d📝 Tip Sheet for Teens/Young Adults: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGxSmKgl5M/sypKA3FbWrFbS5n2Ds2Keg/view?utm_content=DAGxSmKgl5M&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hd70254b9fa#ParentingTips #TeenSafety #CollegePrep #ConsentEducation #ParentingPodcast #RaisingTeens #TeenWellbeing #SexualAssaultPrevention #parentingsupport 👉 Follow us for more tips and support on parenting teenshttps://www.instagram.com/theparentingpair 🌐 Visit https://www.theparentingpair.com to listen and learn more.DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.