Division of Campus Life
BWell Health Promotion

Sexual Violence: Key Terms

Resource

Understand terms related to sexual violence.

Sexual Violence

A sexual act committed against someone without freely given consent. Sexual, gender-based, interpersonal and relationship violence are often used interchangeably to include behavior motivated by gender & power that occurs without consent.

Sexual Assault

Any sexual activity that happens without consent, including penetration, sexual touching, or removal of safer sex methods. Power differences, based on identity and role, can contribute to coercion. Consent for one sexual activity does not imply consent for others.

Sexual/Gender-Based Harassment

Any sexual activity that happens without consent, including penetration, sexual touching, or removal of safer sex methods. Power differences, based on identity and role, can contribute to coercion. Consent for one sexual activity does not imply consent for others.

Stalking

Following or monitoring someone, persisting in unwanted communication, interfering with someone's belongings without their permission, or using social media or technology to engage in these behaviors.

Relationship Violence

A pattern of behavior within an established relationship, or from someone seeking to enter into a relationship, where tactics are repeatedly used to gain power & control over another person. Tactics can include sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological, financial, cultural, identity-based, or physical abuse and can occur in any relationship, including romantic partners, teacher/student, roommates, friends, family, supervisor/employee, etc.

Download a PDF of these Terms