If you have experienced sexual misconduct in any form, we’re here to listen, support and help you make informed choices. It may feel daunting to report any incident, but we will support you through the reporting process, whenever you feel ready to reach out.
What is Harassment?
Harassment is behaviour intended to cause a person alarm or distress. Harassment may include:
- sending abusive text messages or images
- posting abusive messages on social media
- neighbour disputes that involve abusive behaviour or damage to property
- repeated antisocial behaviour
- making unwanted or offensive phone calls
It's harassment if the unwanted behaviour has happened two times or more and made you feel distressed or threatened.
What is Sexual Misconduct?
Sexual Misconduct is a form of harassment and is unacceptable behaviour of a sexual nature, which can include:
- Sexual harassment (unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature).
- Sexual violence.
- Intimate partner violence.
- Sexual assault.
- Grooming (when a person builds a relationship with another person such as a child, vulnerable person or person in a lesser position of power, so they can abuse them and manipulate them into doing things)
- Coercion or bullying with sexual elements.
- Sexual invitations and demands.
- Comments.
- Non-verbal communication (body language)
- Creation of atmospheres of discomfort.
- Promised resources or advancement in exchange for sexual access.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual Harassment is unwanted or unwelcome words, conduct, or behaviour of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, embarrassing, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the recipient. It can include sexual jokes or comments both in person or online, via text or physical contact such as unwelcome sexual advances or touching.
What is Sexual Assault and Rape?
The legal definition of sexual assault in England and Wales is when someone intentionally touches another person in a sexual manner, without that person’s consent. It can include kissing, touching someone’s genitals, breasts or bottom including through clothing, pressing up against another person for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner and touching someone’s clothing if done for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner, for example lifting up someone’s skirt. This is not a full list, just because something isn’t included here doesn’t mean its not sexual assault.
The general definition or meaning of the word 'rape' is when someone didn't give their consent for sex to happen. However rape is not sex, it is sexual violence and it is a crime. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 says that someone commits rape if all of the following happens:
- They intentionally penetrate the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with their penis.
- The other person does not consent to the penetration.
- They do not reasonably believe that the other person consents.
This includes if:
- The two people are married or in a relationship.
- The other person consented to one type of penetration (e.g. vaginal or oral sex), but not another (e.g. anal sex).
- Someone removes a condom without the other person’s permission – or lies about putting one on.
Sexual assault and rape can feel humiliating and degrading, but it is important to remember no-one ever deserves or asks for sexual assault or rape to happen. All of the blame lies with the perpetrator, the person who commits the crime. Rape and sexual assaults can be committed by strangers, relatives or even by people that you thought were friends.
If you or someone you know has experienced any form of sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape then support is available. We understand that speaking up can feel overwhelming. Whether you choose to report it or not, we are here to support you in a way that feels right for you.
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