This page has been printed from the Yarrow Place website http://www.yarrowplace.sa.gov.au

The term ‘sexual assault’ covers many different behaviours.

Some people believe that sexual assault covers the whole range of behaviours from sexual harassment to rape. (These terms are explained below.) Others believe that the term ‘sexual assault’ only applies if there has been physical contact between the perpetrator and the person they assaulted, or if a crime has been committed.

One way to think about it is as a continuum of ‘unwanted sexual behaviours’:

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Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment includes comments, advances or behaviour of a sexual nature, which are unwelcome to the person being harassed. This can include dirty jokes, comments about the person’s appearance, and questions about the person’s personal life.

Sexual Coercion

Sexual coercion happens when someone consents to sexual behaviour because they felt they had to, even though they did not want to. The person might have consented because of peer pressure, because of the other person’s expectations, because the other person threatened to end the relationship, and so on. Note that sexual coercion is not a criminal offence.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault usually means ‘sexual touching without consent’, although it can also mean a threat of sexual touching without consent. It can also include indecent assault, which can include forcing a person to watch sexual behaviour (for example by masturbating in front of them).

Rape

Rape means sexual intercourse without consent. The definition of sexual intercourse includes vaginal sex, oral sex, and anal sex. Penetration of the labia majora (the outer lips of the vagina), the anus or the mouth by a penis, body part (for example, a finger) or an object constitutes rape. Penetration can be ‘to the smallest degree’ and ejaculation does not have to occur. The person does not have to resist to show that they do not consent.