What Is Sexual Violence?

Sexual violence is an umbrella term for any kind of non-consensual sexual contact, behavior, or aggression. While often used interchangeably with the term sexual assault, sexual violence is a term that covers all sexually aggressive acts, including but expanding upon acts of sexual assault.

Sexual Violence is First and Foremost Violence

A more accurate term for sexual violence is sexualized violence. While very similar, sexual and sexualized are two adjectives that function differently. To sexualize is to view or depict something through a sexually suggestive lens; to make or perceive something as sexual particularly when it is not. Adjectives that end in -ed are often used to describe emotions, so when we choose to use the term “sexualized violence,” we are communicating that the perpetrator of said act is sexualizing what is first and foremost violence. 

The label sexualized violence makes it clear that it is an act of violence that is perpetrated by sexual contact. Doing so also helps to dispel the common and damaging myth that those who perpetrate sexualized violence do so because they are overcome with lust and sexual desire. In reality, sexual violence, at it’s core, is enacted by perpetrators for power and dominance, the same reasons people enact other acts of violence.

Sexual/sexualized violence can, but does not have to, involve sexual contact. For example, sexual harassment, such as objectifying comments, is a form of sexualized violence because it places someone in a sexualized context without their consent, often in an aggressive manner.

If you or someone you love has experienced sexual violence, there are resources and communities here on Survivors.org to support you.