May be expressed as flirting or sexual suggestiveness. It is important not to judge one form of sexual assault as more serious than another. It is the effect on the person of the experience that is significant. A seemingly small incident may have severe and long-term effects. Sexual violence takes place within a social, political and legal context in which women are disempowered and victimised.
Women have a right to live free from violence.
Responsibility for sexual assault lies with the perpetrator and not with the victim, irrespective of the perpetrator's age, gender, social status or other circumstance. Rape, sexual assault and child sexual abuse are crimes of violence which many women experience as traumatic, life-threatening experiences. Sexual trauma has profound effects on the individual survivor's body, mind, emotions and spirit and on family, friends, the wider community and society. The after-effects of trauma are normal responses to abnormal events. Women survivors have a right to information so they can make choices about their legal, medical, safety, support and counselling options.