The influence of societal attitude ranks high among the many challenges we face in sexual assault cases. Commonly held beliefs about victims, offenders and the meaning of consent all play important roles in how sexual assault cases are understood and handled in our culture. This interactive and high spirited session will examine the influences at work on children, jurors and members of our communities as they consider the question of sexual assault and what it means. It will offer a common sense approach and provide learning opportunities that everyone can take back to their work.