Sexual assault is any sexual or sexualised act that has not been consented to, agreed upon, invited, or chosen. It is a betrayal of trust and a denial of each person’s right to determine what happens to their body. Sexual assault can be committed against people regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, and background. Sexual assault is sometimes referred to as rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence.
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. It is not sexual interaction, flirtation or friendship which is mutual or consensual. Sexual harassment might include:
- Discussions of a sexual nature or graphic sexual description
- Sexual innuendos, slurs, jokes and comments
- Asking personal questions about a person’s sex life or body
- Repeated unwanted requests for sex and/or dates
- Displaying or distributing sexually suggestive visuals including pictures, calendars, posters, or sexually explicit materials such as videos or text
- Inappropriate touching such as patting, pinching, stroking or brushing up against the body
- Touching or rubbing oneself sexually around another person, or exposing yourself