What is Sexual Violence?

Any sexual activity that is forced or nonconsensual by means of psychological coercion or physical abuse.

It includes all acts of sexual violence such as rape, forced sodomy, forced oral copulation, acts committed with foreign objects, sexual threats and intimidation, incest, sexual assault by intimate partners, child sexual abuse, human sexual trafficking, sexual harassment, street harassment and any other unwanted sexual activity. Sexual assault or rape can happen to anyone. People of any age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or physical ability can experience sexual assault.

 

Types of sexual violence


Myths and realities


If you have been sexually assaulted


If someone you know has been sexually assaulted


Options and next steps