Understanding and Accounting for Triggers in Sex Crimes Classes

• In Event: Roundtable: Teaching about Sex Crimes and Criminals

Abstract

Rates of sexual victimization are high, with an estimated one in three or four girls and one in six boys abused in their lifetime. When teaching a course on sexual offenses, it is likely that some students in the class would have experienced and unwanted sexual encounter. This paper discusses how to approach sensitive topics in Sex Crimes courses (or courses that have lectures on Sex Crimes), and how to prepare students for information that can “trigger” traumatic memories of abuse.

Author

• Karen Terry, John Jay College of Criminal Justice