Which of the following is a red flag indicator of sexual assault?

• A. Isolation
• B. Giving away commissary items regularly
• C. Refusal to shower
• D. Depression

Answer: (B)

Giving away commissary items regularly stands out as a red flag because it can signal coercion or manipulation tied to sexual exploitation. In a corrections setting, commissary items are valuable and trading them can create power imbalances, with the person being exploited using gifts to gain protection, compliance, or access to sexual favors. This pattern points to an unhealthy dynamic where the survivor may feel pressured or coerced, which is a hallmark of exploitation and potential sexual assault.

Other signs like isolation, not wanting to shower, or feeling depressed can arise from many causes and aren’t as specifically linked to a sexual assault dynamic. They indicate distress or mental health concerns but don’t, on their own, point as clearly to exploitation or assault as the act of regularly giving away valuables does.

If you notice someone giving away commissary items consistently, document what you’ve observed and report it per policy so a proper check, support, and follow-up can occur.