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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 circumstances in which sexual activity occurs, including oral sex, rape or restricting access to birth control and condoms. It is important to know that just because the victim didn't say "no," doesn't mean that they mean that they consented. Sometimes physically resisting can put a victim at a bigger risk for further physical or sexual abuse. Some think that if the victim didn't resist, that it doesn't count as abuse. Thats not true. it still is. This myth is hurtful because it makes it more difficult for the victim to speak out and more likely that they will blame themselves. Whether they were intoxicated or felt pressured, intimidated or obligated to act a certain way, i's never the victim's fault.
Some examples of sexual assault and abuse are:
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Unwanted kissing or touching.
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Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity.
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Rape or attempted rape.
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Refusing to use condoms or restricting someone's access to birth control.
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Keeping someone from protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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Sexual contact with someone who is very drunk, drugged, unconscious or otherwise unable to give a clear and informed "yes" or "no."
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Threatening someone into unwanted sexual activity.
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Pressuring or forcing someone to have sex or perform sexual acts.
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Using sexual insults towards someone.