Partnership addresses sexual assaults among teenagers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Counselors at a rape crisis center in our area say sexual assaults among teenagers are not uncommon.

This comes after a rape was reported on Wednesday at Brainerd High School. Both of the people involved were minors.

After a Brainerd High School student is accused of rape after dismissal on school grounds, experts at Partnership say sexual assaults among young people is not rare.

“Most sexual violence is perpetrated before someone is 18 so we see it is happening a lot. So it is very concerning when we know of a young person because people tend to perpetrate more than once. So we see a pattern at a very young age. So it is very concerning,” said Harlee Milligan, sexual violence community educator at Partnership.

Milligan says it is important for parents to teach their children about consent.

“So talking about consent, talking about it is okay to say no or if someone says no you stop consent starts at home from a very young age by allowing our kids to have bodily autonomy and allowing them to say no if they don’t want to hug Aunt Mary or kiss Grandma, so letting them know at a very young age that they are in control of their body so when they do become dating age that message is still true to them,” Milligan said.

She says the rape crisis center is always there to help.

“They can just call and ask questions. There is counseling. There is reporting to law enforcement if you are of school age, you can also report to your school and get accommodations through that so there are a lot of options out there. We are happy to help them figure those options out and also they can take the time in figuring out if they want to do anything, if they want to call anyone of if they do want to their parents it is their right,” she said.

Partnership’s 24/7 hotline is 423-755-2700.

The Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office says they filed a petition to take this case to criminal court.