Sexual Abuse

Definition

Sexual abuse refers to any action that pressures or coerces someone to do something sexually they don’t want to do. It can also refer to behavior that impacts a person’s ability to control their sexual activity or the circumstances in which sexual activity occurs, including oral sex, rape or restricting access to birth control and condoms.

Examples of Sexual Abuse

  • Unwanted kissing or touching.

  • Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity.

  • Rape or attempted rape.

  • Refusing to use condoms or restricting someone’s access to birth control.

  • Keeping someone from protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

  • Sexual contact with someone who is very drunk, drugged, unconscious or otherwise unable to give a clear and informed “yes” or “no.”

  • Threatening or pressuring someone into unwanted sexual activity.

Keep In Mind

  • Everyone has the right to decide what they do or don’t want to do sexually. Not all sexual assaults are violent “attacks.”

  • Most victims of sexual assault know the assailant.

  • Both men and women can be victims of sexual abuse.

  • Both men and women can be perpetrators of sexual abuse.

  • Sexual abuse can occur in same-sex and opposite-sex relationships.

  • Sexual abuse can occur between two people who have been sexual with each other before, including people who are married or dating.

Sexual violence is deeply traumatizing, and many survivors spend their entire lives managing the fallout from the assault they experienced. The mostly invisible wounds caused by rape, abuse, and incest may never heal completely, but talking about these wounds with people you trust can help you navigate your healing journey.

You don’t ever have to tell anyone about the assault or abuse you experienced, period. If you do decide to tell someone, we call that “disclosing.” You may want to disclose confidentially to only a few people, or you may want to shout from the rooftops that this terrible thing happened—and you survived.

The decision belongs to you alone, and you get to do whatever is best for your mind, body, and spirit.