As educators, we are more than aware of the impact words have on how we see things and how we frame our responses to things culturally (e.g., a particular racial term). Regarding the issue of sexual assault: We could start by making it clear to our students that words like bang, screw, nail and drill are things that you do to inanimate objects — things that are disposable or without feelings — not sex with a human being. Will it solve everything? Probably not, but it’s a good way to start.

Stewart J. Frimer, retired