Sexual coercion and assault

Sexual coercion is unwanted sexual activity that results from pressure, manipulation, or threats rather than physical force. This might include pressuring someone to have sex that they have said they do not want, continuing sexual activity after someone says stop or no, making threats if someone will not have sex, or using guilt or emotional manipulation. Coercion violates someone's sexual autonomy and is a form of sexual harm. Sexual assault includes any sexual contact without consent. This includes rape, which is penetrative sexual contact without consent. It includes forcing someone to engage in sexual activity using physical force, threat, or weapons. It includes assault when someone is unable to consent because they are unconscious, intoxicated, or otherwise incapacitated. Sexual assault does not have to involve a stranger. Most sexual assaults are committed by someone the person knows. For many survivors, the impacts of sexual assault include trauma symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, difficulty trusting, guilt, shame, and changes in sexuality or relationships. It is not a survivor's fault. Nothing they wore, did, or said made them responsible for being assaulted. Survivors did not ask for it or cause it to happen. If you have experienced sexual coercion or assault, support is available. You can reach out to a sexual assault services organization, crisis line, healthcare provider, or trusted person. You do not have to decide whether to report to police for support. You deserve healing and validation that what happened was not your fault. Services are available regardless of when the assault happened.