Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is abusive sexual behaviour by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage.
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What is sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is any sexual act which has not been consented to. It can affect anyone. It can happen within families and intimate relationships. It can be carried out by someone you know or a stranger.
Sexual abuse can include:
- rape
- sexual assault
- touching you in a way you don’t like without consent
- forcing or coercing you into sexual activities against your will
- using objects violently or in a non-consensual way during sex
- sharing sexual stories or images about you without consent
- forcing or coercing you to mimic pornography
- forcing or coercing you to be recorded during sex or whilst abuse is taking place
- sexual harassment or the use of sexual or derogatory names
- female genital mutilation (FGM)
- forced marriage
- trafficking or sexual exploitation
- someone exposing themselves online or offline.
Any behaviour of a sexual nature that you have not consented to is considered sexual violence or abuse.