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Definitions of Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault can take on many forms and can include a spectrum of acts, from unwanted touching to rape.

Sexual Assault (Intercourse): Any form of vaginal, anal, or oral penetration, however slight, by a penis, object, tongue, or finger without a person's consent; and oral copulation (mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact) without a person's consent.

Sexual Assault (Contact): Any intentional sexual touching, without a person's consent (intentional sexual touching may include contact, under or over the clothing, with the breasts, buttocks or groin touching another with any of these body parts; making another person touch any of these body parts under or over clothing; and/or the emission of ejaculate on the clothing or body of another person without that person's consent.

Sexual Harassment

BYU defines sexual harassment as unwelcome advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when:

  • Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or status as a student in a course, program, or activity;
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting an individual; or
  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for working or learning.

Sexual harassment encompasses any sexual attention that is unwanted. Examples include:

  • Unwelcome comments about a person's clothing or body
  • Coercion for a date or a romantic or intimate relationship
  • Unwelcome touching, kissing, hugging or massaging
  • A course of unwanted attention that is repeated or obsessive
  • Giving letters, personal gifts, and/or materials of a sexual nature
  • Use of unwanted force in connection with sexual activity or attempted sexual activity
  • Subtle pressure for sexual activity
  • Engaging in sexual activity with a person who is incapacitated
  • Engaging in sexual activity with someone who did not give consent to the sexual activity
  • Videotaping or photographing of activity of a sexual or private nature without the consent of the person(s) being videotaped or photographed
  • Use of email, the Internet or other forms of digital media to facilitate any of the conduct listed above

Stalking

Stalking is the repeated harassment or invasion of privacy that leaves a person in fear for his or her safety or the safety of loved ones. Stalking can include physically following another, repeated and unwanted contact contact, closely observing a person's actions for an extended time (including through social media), and inappropriately contacting a person's family or friends. Stalking is against the law in Utah.

If you are being stalked SASAS can help you navigate your options and provide confidential counseling.