Forms of sexual assault | CALACS de l’Est du BSL

Sexual assault and/or sexual fondling:

Sexual assault is any gesture, word or attitude of a sexual nature that is made without the consent and against the will of the person, even within the context of a relationship. Despite what we think, it is not necessary to have penetration to speak of sexual assault.

Rape:

This is unwanted sexual intercourse with anal, vaginal and/or oral penetration. Penetration can be done in different ways, either with the penis, another part of the body or an object.

Incest:

Any sexual activity involving a child and an adult who is related to or responsible for the abused child. The abuser may be a parent, sibling, grandparent, uncle, step-family, foster or adoptive family.

Sexual harassment:

All forms of unwanted sexual attention or advances that cause discomfort or fear and threaten the well-being of an individual. This form of sexual assault can include staring, talking, gesturing, touching, threatening, propositioning, joking, and posting pornographic material.

Cyber sexual crime:

This refers to all forms of sexual assault that occur via the Internet, including exhibitionism, harassment, dissemination and/or production of sexual images and/or films without the consent of the individuals involved. Please note that under no circumstances can a minor consent to the production and/or distribution of pornographic material.

Sexual assault by voluntary or involuntary intoxication:

This type of assault consists of using certain substances (e.g. GHB, alcohol, cannabis, other drugs, etc.) for the purpose of sexually assaulting another person.

Spousal sexual assault:

Forcing one’s partner to have sex, to do certain things or to use pornographic material. It can also include threats, blackmail, belittling, or sulking after a refusal of sexual activity.

Sexual exploitation:

This is when a person obtains a benefit, financial or otherwise, by abusing the sexuality of another person or group of people.

Exhibitionism:

Sexual assault characterized by the display of one’s genitals, with the intent to embarrass or frighten.

Voyeurism:

A sexual assault primarily characterized by an attraction to observe the privacy or nudity of another person or group of people without their consent.

Obscene message:

Anonymous most of the time, this message of a sexual nature is generally made with the aim of humiliating and frightening (ex.: telephone, email, chat, text message, etc.).

Rubbing:

Behaviour of an individual who seeks physical contact with non-consenting individuals in public places. For example, attempting to rub one’s sexual organs against strangers on the bus.

Group assault:

An assault perpetrated by more than one assailant.