Sexual coercion is the act of using pressure, threats, alcohol or drugs, or force to engage in sexual activity with someone. This type of abuse can take form in many different ways. Contrary to popular belief, coercion is mostly verbal and emotional, not physical. The tactics the abuser uses can make someone feel pressure, guilt…
Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is a form of sexual abuse where the perpetrator creates and/or shares sexually explicit images, videos, or audio of a person without their consent. It includes both self-generated images, images that were taken by the person depicted in the photo and originally distributed by them with the understanding or expectation that…
“Rape Apologist” is an umbrella term for someone who for someone who blames survivors, has a general disbelief in allegations of assault, and participates in the normalization of sexual violence. They can be any person of any gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, or age. While the term make evoke an image of a particular group…
Intent doesn’t matter when it comes to sexual violence. Sexual violence isn’t always calculated It is a common misconception that sexual violence is calculated and that perpetrators are intending commit acts of violence. While this can be the case, perpetrators often, consciously or not, create an environment where their abuse will be tolerated, overlooked, or…
An incredibly common way to express one’s sexuality online is by exchanging nude, semi-nude, or suggestive images of oneself, sometimes referred to as sexting or sending nudes. Research suggests that nearly 88% of U.S. adults have sent nudes at some point in their lifetime.1 Sending, receiving, and viewing nude images is as much of a…
Understanding the concepts of good touch vs. bad touch is crucial for empowering children to establish boundaries and protect themselves from abuse. Good touch 1 refers to physical contact that feels safe, pleasant, and comfortable. Bad touch 1 is any type of touch that makes a child feel uneasy, confused, uncomfortable, or unsafe. Methods of…
Survivors don’t always get the responses they deserve when they disclose. This can be especially true for survivors who do not fit the stereotypical image of a sexual assault survivor, such as male survivors. Hear four courageous men share how people in their lives responded when they disclosed to them, and how they wish they’d…
Hear from male survivors on why they believe it’s so important to make space for boys and men in survivor spaces and the overall movement. The following answers are excerpts from our Male Survivors Panel. Yonah Kohn “How survivors heal from their experiences is going to be different, depending on so many factors. But before…
The sexual violence movement has made significant progress in raising awareness, supporting survivors, and advocating for policy changes in the era of the #MeToo movement. Alarmingly, over 27% of men will experience sexual victimization in their lifetimes.1 Despite these distressing statistics, the conversation surrounding sexual violence predominantly centers on female survivors, leaving the experiences, challenges,…
Sexual violence is a human rights violation that can impact individuals across all gender identities, ages, and sexual orientations. When such violence is directed at individuals based on their sexual orientation, it becomes a tool of homophobia.1 Homophobia refers to an irrational fear, hatred, or prejudice against individuals who identify as or are perceived to…
Transgender individuals have been at the forefront of the fight against sexual violence, despite facing significant discrimination and violence themselves. Trans activists have championed movements to protect and support all survivors of sexual violence. Historical Trans Leaders Fighting Against Sexual Violence Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992) Marsha P. Johnson, is a prominent transgender activist, and co-founded…
Sexual assault advocates are professionally and specially trained individuals who respond to and support survivors of sexual assault. They provide unparalleled support to survivors in the immediate and long-term aftermath of sexual assault. Sexual assault advocates work in many different settings, such as the hospital, college campuses, on the site of a sexual assault, rape…
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