What Is Sexual Violence?

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…

“Victim” or “Survivor?”
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“Victim” or “Survivor?”

What Do I Call Someone Who Has Experienced Sexual, Domestic, or Intimate Partner Violence? When referring to people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or domestic violence, it can be difficult to know what term to use. Different words have different connotations and implications, and all people have a different relationship with what…

Halloween Can Be Difficult For Survivors of Sexual Violence
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Halloween Can Be Difficult For Survivors of Sexual Violence

Every survivor is different, and for some survivors, Halloween may just be another holiday. For others, it may be emotionally activating for a number of reasons. Why might Halloween be difficult for survivors of sexual and domestic violence? Some of the imagery or norms associated with Halloween can be difficult for survivors to manage. It’s…

The “Perfect Victim” Myth
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The “Perfect Victim” Myth

The “perfect victim” is a common victim-blaming myth that has a negative effect on survivors. The perfect victim is an archetype outlining how a survivor “should” act during and after experiencing violence or abuse. These notions are often used to discredit, blame, and shame survivors who do not fit this narrow description, despite the fact…

What is Consent?

What is Consent?

Consent is essential in all of our interactions, not just sexual activity. When it comes to sexual acts, the presence of consent is what differentiates sex from sexual assault. Before we become sexually active, we need to understand what consent is and what it looks like. Sexual acts without consent are not sex, they are…