Any type of sexual activity or contact that occurs without explicit consent of the recipient. It can include a wide range of actions, from unwanted touching or groping to rape. Sexual assault is a violation of an individual's bodily integrity and autonomy, and it can have profound physical, emotional, and psychological effects on the survivor. It is a crime that is rooted in power, control, and violation of personal boundaries.

Consent to engage in sexual activity must be voluntary and not obtained through force. The four types of force are physical violence, threats, intimidation, and coercion. A person cannot consent to sexual activity if they are incapacitated (temporarily or permanently) or a minor. Consent may be withdrawn at any time during sexual activity. Previous consensual sexual activity between individuals does not imply consent for future sexual activity.   

Examples of sexual assault include:

• Touching, fondling, kissing, or making any unwanted contact with a person’s body
• Inserting a finger, tongue, mouth, penis, or an object in or on another person’s vagina, penis, or anus without consent
• Using force to engage in any sexual activity
• Forcing someone to look at sexually explicit material or to pose for sexually explicit pictures
• Receiving unnecessary, unprofessional, or inappropriate touching of breasts, buttocks, or genitals by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional

Sexual harassment is verbal, physical, or other inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature that adversely impacts an individual’s educational or work environment.  Quid pro quo (something for something) sexual harassment occurs when the participation in unwelcome sexual conduct is a condition of educational or employment benefits or services.  Hostile environment sexual harassment occurs when conduct of a sexual nature is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive and it interferes with an individual’s educational or work environment.

Examples of sexual harassment include:

• Sexually suggestive facial expressions, gestures, remarks, or jokes
• Sharing or asking about sexual experiences
• Unwanted sexually suggestive communications
• Asking repeatedly for dates after being declined
• Asking for sexual favors

A pattern of behavior where one person repeatedly harasses or threatens another person, causing them to feel fearful, harassed, or in danger. This behavior can include following someone, unwanted communication (such as phone calls, texts, emails), surveillance, making threats, or any other form of intrusive contact that causes fear or concern for safety. Stalking is often characterized by its persistence and the psychological impact it has on the victim, disrupting their sense of security and daily life. It is considered a serious crime and a violation of personal boundaries and safety, with the perpetrator often seeking to assert control over the victim's life.

Examples of stalking include:

• Following and showing up uninvited to see an individual
• Making repeated and unwanted contact at someone’s home, work, school, or other location
• Sending repeated and unwanted emails, letters, or other communications (e.g., texts, social media messages, phone calls)
• Using technology (e.g., phones, hidden cameras) to monitor and track someone’s location and activities
• Sending unwanted gifts

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to control and exploit a person for labor, services, or commercial sex. Traffickers may use threats, manipulation, deception, isolation, financial control, or abuse to prevent someone from leaving or seeking help. Human trafficking can happen to anyone and does not require kidnapping or transportation.

Examples of human trafficking may include:

• Using threats, violence, or intimidation to control someone
• Promising a job, money, housing, or other benefits and then using deception to exploit the person
• Controlling someone's wages, finances, identification, transportation, or access to basic needs
• Isolating someone from friends, family, or other sources of support
• Threatening to harm someone or their loved ones, report them to law enforcement, or expose personal information
• Forcing or coercing someone to perform labor or services under abusive or exploitative conditions
• Forcing or coercing someone to engage in commercial sex

Using manipulation, debt, or emotional abuse to maintain control over someone

You do not have to know exactly what to call your experience to reach out for support. Experiences involving control, exploitation, manipulation, threats, or coercion can take many forms, and it is okay to have questions or feel unsure about what happened. The SAVE Program can help you talk through your experience, explore your options, and connect with resources without judgment.