Sexual assault and sexual harassment are two high profile terms that are often mistakenly used interchangeably. This week we will discuss their differences and give some examples.

Sexual assault refers to any is any non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature. It generally refers to acts of sexual violence including unwanted kissing or unwanted sex. This includes force, threats, or intimidation or coercion to make you do something sexual that you do not want to do. Sexual assault is a criminal act. Examples would be rape, fondling, and forcing a victim to perform sexual acts.

Sexual harassment is harassment based on your sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. This includes unwanted sexual advances, and comments such as jokes, threats and discriminatory remarks. Some examples may include physical acts of sexual assault, requests for sexual favors, verbal harassment of a sexual nature, including jokes referring to sexual acts or sexual orientation, unwanted touching or physical contact, unwelcome sexual advance, discussing sexual relations/stories/fantasies at work, school, or in other inappropriate places, exposing oneself or performing sexual acts on oneself, and unwanted sexually explicit photos, emails, or text messages.

Sexual harassment is a broad term, including many types of unwelcome verbal and physical sexual attention. Sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior, often physical, that occurs without the consent of the victim. Sexual harassment generally violates civil laws—you have a right to work or learn without being harassed—but in many cases is not a criminal act, while sexual assault usually refers to acts that are criminal.

References:“Sexual Harrassment.” RAINN, May 4 2022, https://www.rainn.org/articles/tips-talking-survivors-sexual-assault.