What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is not limited to unwanted touching; it can take many forms. Regardless of your gender, your boundaries must always be respected! There are many myths about sexual assault: can you tell fact from fiction?
To remember
👉 The absence of consent is the determining factor.
👉 Harassment involves unwanted words or gestures, while assault involves forced sexual contact or acts.
👉 It is very important to seek help from trusted individuals or specialized organizations.
What you should know about sexual assault
Sexual assault is an action of a sexual nature, with or without physical contact, that is done against the will (without the consent) of the victim.
Sexual assault occurs when someone crosses your boundaries and compels you into sexual activity you don’t want to do. It is an act of forcing someone to submit to another person’s will through abuse of power, use of force or restraint, or implicit or explicit threats.
💡Explicit means something clearly formulated, direct, and unambiguous. We know exactly what the person is threatening to do, and against whom. Example: "If you don't do what I ask, I will hit you."
💡Implicit means something suggested, hinted at, or concealed. What will happen is not clearly stated, but a danger or pressure is implied. Example: "It would be a shame if something happened to you..." It's not said openly, but the message is threatening.
It involves the use of violence, threats, or abuse of power, or else manipulation, control, or blackmail.
Most of the time, the perpetrator of sexual assault is someone the victim knows, a member of their circle.
Sexual assault can also be committed by a person in a position of authority, such as a coach, teacher, family member or other person the victim knows, romantic partner, classmate, etc.
The fact that someone is nice to you, pays for things for you, or does you favors does not give them the right to ask for sexual acts or to force you. Being in a romantic relationship or dating someone also does not obligate you to do things you are uncomfortable with, regardless of how long the relationship has lasted.
Guys, girls, non-binary people, and trans people can be victims of sexual assault. Sexual assaults can also happen between two people of the same sex.
Examples of sexual assault
Invitation to sexual touching
Kissing of a sexual nature
Touching
Masturbation
Oral-genital contact (cunnilingus, fellatio)
Penetration
Obscene phone calls: Calls that are sexual in nature, meant to sexually gratify the caller without the other person’s consent by using manipulation
Exhibitionism (showing one’s genitals in public)
Incest
Pedophilia
Voyeurism (watching someone who’s naked, without their consent)
Frottage (rubbing one’s genitals against a stranger)
What’s the difference between harassment and assault?
Sexual harassment is when someone imposes words, gestures, or behaviors of a sexual nature on you without your agreement, making you uncomfortable, embarrassed, or feeling unsafe.
Warning, it's not love, it's not flirting, and it's not a kind compliment. It's a form of pressure or intimidation. Here are some examples (in person or online).
Examples:
Making inappropriate or humiliating comments about a person’s body or sexuality.
Cat-calling or wolf-whistling.
Commenting on the physical and sexual attributes of a person’s body.
Making persistent, unwanted sexual propositions.
Insulting or following someone who does not react positively to comments.
Suggesting sexual activities repeatedly despite being unwelcome.
Sending unsolicited sexual photos (e.g. of genitals) can also constitute harassment.
Sexual assault is when someone touches you in a sexual way without your consent, or forces you to do something sexual, with or without violence. This can be done through abuse of power, use of physical force, blackmail, or verbal threats.
Even if you don't scream or say anything, if you don't agree, it is a sexual assault.
There is a difference between harassment and sexual assault, but both can be very damaging. If this happens to you, quickly seek help from those around you or contact Tel-jeunes to talk about it (our services are confidential and non-judgmental).
