What is Sexual Abuse & Sexual Coercion?

SEXUAL ABUSE is when an abusive person uses force, threats, manipulation, and often coercion to control sexual intimacy. This often includes acting in a way that’s forced or non-consensual.

Oftentimes, SEXUAL ABUSE can involve SEXUAL and REPRODUCTIVE COERCION.

SEXUAL COERCION is aggressive sexual behavior in which someone uses manipulation to coerce you into unwanted sexual activity through: begging, relentless persuasion, obligation, amongst other methods.

REPRODUCTIVE COERCION includes threats, violence, and manipulation that interfere with your reproductive choice and autonomy.

Examples of SEXUAL ABUSE and COERCION

• Forcing or manipulating you into sexual activity, even if you’re tired, sick, or injured.

• Using your relationship status to manipulate you into sex, including by demanding sex as a way to “prove your love” or by threatening to cheat or leave if you don't

• Obligating you into sexual activity because of past actions, gifts, or consent.

• Strangling , holding, or restraining you during sex without your consent.

  
  

• Not respecting your "no." Ignoring when you tell them to stop.

• Forcing you to make or watch pornography.

• Continuing to pressure you after you say no or intimidating you into fearing what will happen if you say no.

What to Do if You Experience Sexual Abuse or Coercion

• Know that it's not your fault

  • Sexual abuse is a crime. It is not your fault if you have been abused. Everyone deserves to be safe and respected in a relationship. Furthermore, sexual coercion can be very hard to say no to, especially when threats or violence and emotional manipulation are involved. Just because you said "yes" that does not mean you deserved it. You matter.

• Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline

  • Call the R.A.I.N.N. (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) Hotline for confidential support around sexual abuse: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

    
    

• Seek Help

  • If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual coercion in a relationship, seek help. You deserve to have your body autonomy respected.

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