I appreciated the Sun Journal editorial “Learning about sex in our public schools” (Aug. 20). It is vitally important that we give children age-appropriate information for their health and safety.

I would like to be clear that the Sexual Assault Crisis Center does not teach “sex education.” Our curriculum teaches children they have a right to control their bodies and a right to determine who can touch them and in which ways. We also teach about their right to consent to various kinds of things, and to respect other people’s right to consent.

These are the building blocks for sexual assault prevention, before we ever use the words “sexual assault.”

With older children, we introduce the concept of sexual assault, and to do that we must use some of the terminology of sex. But we are clear about this difference — sexual assault is NOT sex. Sexual assault is using sexual actions to dominate, humiliate and control another. Sexual assault survivors understand only too well that this was not sex, but violence.

Imagine if every person understood that they can decide when and how their bodies are touched, and who has permission to do so. Imagine that everyone understands that, without consent, they must not touch another person. That would be the end of sexual assault.

With one of every five Mainers reporting that they have been a victim of sexual assault, we must give our children the understanding and the tools to understand and create safe and healthy relationships.

Marty McIntyre, Lewiston, executive director of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services

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