young people
A fotonovela (photo story) for mothers, fathers and their teenage children talking about sex, their body and protection from infections you get from sex as well as against unwanted pregnancy.
Lupe: And your daughter, Adriana, how is she? I haven’t seen her lately. How old is she now?
María: She’s doing well, thank you. She’s almost 13! Can you believe it? She’s doing really well in school and it seems she’s starting to like boys.
Lupe: And, María, do you think she’s thinking about or maybe even already having sex? Have you talked with Adriana about it?
María: Ay Lupe! What are you thinking? She’s still really young. She might have gone past kissing with someone, but she’s not having sex. Besides, if I talk to her about sex and protection she could believe that it’s okay to do those things at her age.
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Lupe: I understand your fears and of course you don’t want your little girl to have sex so young. But even if you don’t want it, sex is a normal part of life. I know that talking about all this can be uncomfortable, but our children live between two worlds and opposing cultures.
Lupe: But this is where they live their lives and even the laws are different here. If you don’t talk with her about how to protect herself, what’s okay and not okay, she could get hurt, pregnant or even contract a sexually transmitted infection.
María: The truth is I have thought about how to talk with Adriana. It’s just so hard. I want her to know that, even though I talk about it, I don’t approve of her doing it so young. And also, I want her to know that, whatever happens, I love her and I’m always going to be here for her.
WASHINGTON COALITION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAMS • www.wcsap.org
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Lupe: Maybe you can talk to her alone, like when you’re making food or when you go out for a walk. Tell her exactly what you just told me right now, but also you can offer her to get educated by going to an agency that knows more about sex, the body, how to protect oneself, and about prevention of infections and pregnancies. Even though it’s hard, my friend, it’s better to prevent than lament, don’t you think?
María: You’re right Lupe. I’m going to see how to talk to my daughter. I’m going to offer her information and support on how to protect herself. Thank you my friend!
Later that night Maria & Adriana talk . . .
María: Daughter, you know that whatever happens I’m here for you, right?
Adriana: Ya mom, I know.
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María: Adri, I know that maybe you’re thinking about having sex and have questions about sex. I also know that it can be weird talking to me about sex, but I want to give you a little information, and if you want to talk more we can. Is that ok? Adriana: Ok mom… but I already know what sex is and I am not having it.
María: I know you know what sex is and I’m happy to know that you aren’t doing it. But there’ll be a day when you want to have sex and I want you to have information. I want you to know you can always talk to me, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Adriana: Ok…
María: In a healthy relationship, you shouldn’t feel like you have to do things that make you uncomfortable. You have the right to have the control over decisions about your body. You should know what you like and don’t like.
WASHINGTON COALITION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAMS • www.wcsap.org
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María: The day you feel ready to have sex, you should both use some form of protection for infections you can get from sex and to not get pregnant. You have the right to say no to anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you don’t want to do.
María: I don’t want you to have sex so young, and especially not before you’re ready. What do you say we go to an agency, like Planned Parenthood, to get more educated? I’ll go with you to the agency, and if you prefer, you can talk alone with the workers there. Also if you have questions about anything you can ask me. Adriana: I already know that mom…
María: I also feel uncomfortable talking about these things with you, but it’s important that you have correct information and prevent problems.
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Adriana: Ok mom… María: I love you Adriana and I’m always here for you. Adriana: Thanks mom. I love you too.
This fotonovela was created through a focus group of Latina advocates from programs that help victims of sexual assault and that represent the Latina/o populations in urban and rural Washington State. WCSAP would like to thank the following advocates for their participation in this focus group: • Lorena Ault, YWCA of Walla • America Figueroa, Crisis Support Network • Carolina Gutierrez, SafePlace • Marisol Melendez, Tacoma Community House • Gricelda Ohrazda, SAGE • Eunice Santiago, CIELO WSCAP Staff that participated in the creation of this fotonovela: • Amy McIntyre • Jeanne McCurley
WASHINGTON COALITION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAMS • www.wcsap.org
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RESOURCES Futures Without Violence http://www.futureswithoutviolence.org / 1 (415) 678-5500 Love Is Respect http://www.loveisrespect.org / 1 (866) 331-9474 Planned Parenthood www.plannedparenthood.org / 1 (800) 230-7526 Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (WCSAP) www.wcsap.org / 1 (360) 754-7583 We End Violence www.weendviolence.org copyright Š 2014
Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs 4317 6th Ave. SE, Suite 102 Olympia, WA 98503
360. 754. 7583 (phone) 360. 709. 0305 (TTY) www.wcsap.org