What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is first and foremost an act of domination and power committed against individuals without their consent. Whether or not victims are physically assaulted, their dignity is always wounded by degrading words and attitudes or behaviours.

Since sexual assault is almost always committed by men, it primarily affects women and children. Statistics compiled in 2009 by the Ministère de la Sécurité publique (Quebec department of public safety) show that 97% of aggressors are male, and the majority are adults. Furthermore, statistics from the same source in 2011 show that eight out of ten victims are women. Also in 2011, 50% of the victims of sexual assault were girls under 18, and 33% were adult women. Boys account for 14% of victims and adult men, 3%.

There are many forms of sexual assault, depending on the act itself and the degree of violence used. Anyone can be the victim of a sexual assault during childhood, adolescence or adulthood.

Sexual assault can be committed by:

• a friend
• a spouse or partner
• an acquaintance (for example, the friend of a spouse, the brother of a friend, or someone met at a social, cultural, religious or sports event)
• a professional
• a colleague at work
• an employer
• a classmate
• a neighbour
• a family member
• a client
• a patient
• a stranger

Although sexual assault can also be committed by women, statistics show that men are the assailants in the vast majority of cases.

Many sexual acts and activities are defined as sexual assault only when they are carried out without your consent or if you are not of legal age to consent to sexual acts.

The following are the main forms of sexual assault:

• Sexualized kissing
• Touching of breasts, thighs, buttocks, penis, vulva or anus
• Masturbation of the victim by the aggressor or masturbation of the aggressor by the victim
• Oral-genital contact:
  • Fellatio: sexual activity in which the victim's or the offender's penis is inserted in the other's mouth
  • Cunnilingus: stimulation of female genital organs with the mouth
• Penetration: penetration of the vagina by the penis, sodomy (penetration of the anus by the penis), penetration of the anus or vagina with fingers or objects
• Sexual harassment: any form of unwanted sexual attention or advances that cause distress or fear and that threaten a person's well-being (can include persistent staring, words, gestures, propositions, jokes or displaying pornographic material)
• Exhibitionism: displaying one's genitals in public
• Frotteurism: seeking inappropriate physical contact with non-consenting individuals in a public place (for example, attempting to rub one's sexual organs against strangers in the subway)
• Voyeurism: sexual behaviour based on observing a person or persons in the nude or engaged in intimate acts
• Other activities of a sexual nature: the production or viewing of pornographic material

All these acts and activities represent an attack on your physical and psychological integrity, as well as on how you perceive yourself and your environment.

The person who sexually assaulted you may have used one or more of the following tactics:

• Emotional blackmail: “If you really loved me, you'd do what I want.”
• Promises of material gain: “If you have sex with me, I'll buy you all the new clothes you want.”
• Intimidation: “I've been working here for a very long time, so you can imagine who they'll believe.” “I'm a Canadian citizen and you're an immigrant – who do you think the police will believe?”
• Threats: “If you don't give me what I want, your kids will get hurt.”
• Blackmail at work: “If you don't let me touch your breasts, I'll make sure you lose your job.”
• Blackmail related to immigration status: “If you don't cooperate, I'll denounce you to the Immigration authorities.”
• Blackmail related to sexual orientation: “If you don't let me kiss you, I'll tell your family and friends that you're a lesbian.”
• Cyberbullying: “If you don't take your clothes off for the camera, I'll post compromising pictures of you on social media.”
• Verbal, physical or psychological violence: “Even if you tell someone, they'll never believe you.” “If you try to defend yourself, I'll hit you.” “If you talk to anyone, it'll be worse next time.”