Episode 6 | May 24, 2022
Boundaries & Consent - Preventing Sexual Violence
Taylr Ucker-Lauderman and Caitlin Burke from the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence on ways to help prevent sexual violence.
INTRO
Welcome to “That’s a Hard No” – the podcast about saying no and setting boundaries so you can become the authentic and empowered you that this world needs.
Reminder: While Sarah is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, this podcast is in no way a replacement for one-on-one therapy with a mental health professional. If you are struggling with mental health issues, we welcome you on this journey, but also invite you to seek out professional help.
Looking for a therapist? Here’s a good place to start: psychologytoday.com

SHOW NOTES
Our Guests
- Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV) – serves as Ohio’s rape crisis coalition. We provide the main training and technical assistance for rape crisis centers.
- Taylr Ucker- Lauderman(she/her), Chief Officer of Communications & Engagement at OAESV
- Caitlin Burke (she/her), Director of Prevention & Public Health at OAESV
Key Takeaways
- Boundaries and consent go hand-in-hand. It’s not just about setting boundaries but also receiving them. We have to respect others’ boundaries and we expect others to respect ours.
- Establishing Consent & Conversations – How do we breach these topics? When should we have them?
- Prevention programs often work with young people, starting early is best case scenario. This does not have to be about intimacy, but about our bodies, space, and needs.
- Value in starting early on and finding age-appropriate materials that can help communicate about boundaries and what consent means
- Breaching the topic should be prioritized by an adult and discussing before it becomes a conversation since something did happen
- Warning Signs and How To Respond
- Bullying/Cyberbullying – Many anti-bullying campaigns, but recognizing this in your own children as well
- Violence in General –
- Our society often has ways that some small behaviors are ignored. Our policies and judicial/medical/corporate systems all allow a space for these minor biases that can lead to sexual violence. Sexist behaviors, racially fueled ‘jokes’, etc.
- Being ‘nice’ or staying quiet creates a dangerous environment.
- Standing Firm (and the Reality that Follows) – Unfortunately, sometimes standing firm in our boundaries does cause backlash. Asserting boundaries especially as a marginalized person may result in something negative happening.
- If the ability to assert boundaries isn’t available, to give yourself grace to find ways to begin recovery.
- Practice saying things out loud – saying no, using the proper terminology for body parts
- Policies – While it’s extremely valuable to be a a supportive and safe adult, enviornment is extremely important.
- We need to be supported by schools, government, workplaces.
- Where do students/employees go when they need help?
- How will they get the care and time off they need?
- We need to be supported by schools, government, workplaces.
- Supporting the Aftermath – Listen. If someone has the courage to speak with you about something that happened to them, feel honored.
- Don’t question what happened, but can ask “How can I support you?”
- Trauma can cause some confusion, just believe them
- Don’t pretend to understand
- Have a basic understanding of where to access support
- Future Action – To take an anti-oppression approach to the future. Taking away the societal expectations for people due to their gender, sexuality, race or otherwise.
- Actively practicing and reevaluating your personal boundaries. It is a learned skill that needs to continue to be exercised.
Where to Find the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence
- Website – oaesv.org
- Instagram – @oaesv
- Facebook – Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Credits and Thanks
- Many thanks to our friends and families (our “villagers”) for listening, and for your continued support.
- That’s a Hard No is a joint production of Clever Girl Marketing and Purposeful Growth & Wellness.
- Marketing and Production Coordinator, Maura Del Rosario.
- Production Support, Evergreen Podcasts, Noah Foutz, Producer.
- Music: “Whiskey for Lunch” by GG Rigs.