Sexual crimes
A sexual crime is a sexual act which is carried out deliberately, without your consent and which poses a threat to your psychological and physical well-being. This can include touching of sexual nature that is unpleasant for you, forcing to have sex, taking sexual photographs of you, as well as sending unwanted, sexually explicit messages.
Sexual abuse is when someone forces you to have sex against your will or forces you to perform sexual acts, for example, touch another person, by using physical force or persuasion, or taking advantage of you when you are in a state that prevents you from being able to say “stop”.
It does not matter if you were drinking alcohol at that time, were at a party or a person whom you know did this to you – this is not your fault. After such an event, you may feel anger, fear, sadness, strong anxiety and be afraid to tell anyone about it. However, talking to a person whom you trust is very helpful to most people.
Harassment is when you receive unwanted sexual attention. This can include unwanted touching, slapping, sexual comments, epithets, vulgar words, gestures, suggestions and sexually explicit messages. It is important to determine how you feel in order to recognize sexual harassment. If you feel unpleasantly, uncomfortable or oppressed, and, after showing or telling the person that such attention is unacceptable to you, the person’s behaviour continues, this is considered to be harassment.
It is important to know that harassment is not your fault. Harassment results from the harasser’s disdainful attitude toward another person and disregard of another person’s private boundaries.
Sexual exploitation is when a child or a young person is exploited for sex. The exploiter may lure you into a relationship by buying you things, giving you money, encouraging you to drink alcohol, persuading you or being very friendly to you. Children and youth may believe that they are truly loved or that they have a close relationship.
Once trust is established, the exploiter begins to demand sex from the victim or demand the victim to have sex with other people. Refusal may lead to threats, intimidation and physical violence.
Grooming is attempting to lure a child or a young person into a sexual relationship. Grooming can be carried out in person – on the street, in the yard, in school, or online. Grooming can be carried out by someone who you know or might not know. This person might try to befriend you, compliment you, give you gifts and offer doing something fun together. He may also start talking to you about his sexual experiences, and ask you to send him sexual photographs of yourself.
How to recognize grooming:
- You are under the age of sixteen years, and the other person is over eighteen years of age
- He/she is very pleasant and friendly to you at the beginning
- He/she asks you very personal questions
- He/she sends you sexual photographs of himself/herself and asks you to do the same
- He/she asks you about your sexual experiences and constantly makes the topic of your conversation sexual
- He/she wants to meet you in private
