What type of sexual violence does it exist?

Reading time: 2 min

The different types of sexual violence that can be experienced are largely defined by the mechanism used by the aggressor or aggressors to subdue the victim: submission with physical force, psychological submission (intimidation, coercion, threats, etc.); submission with chemical substances that override the victim's ability to respond or defend themselves.

Man assaulting a woman

Sexual assault. Any act that violates a person's sexual freedom by using violence or intimidation. The most serious form of sexual assault is rape. Rape is defined as the introduction of the penis into the vagina, anus or mouth, as well as digital penetration or the introduction of objects into the first two orifices.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is an attack on a person's sexual freedom in which deception, coercion or surprise is used instead of violence or intimidation. It can involve touching, explicit verbal propositions, and oral, anal, vaginal or digital penetration. It includes abuse of people who are unable to give valid consent because their capacity to decide or understand is limited (minors, mentally ill or mentally handicapped people). It also includes all incidents of sexual assault in which the victim is unable to give consent because they are intoxicated, unconscious or comatose, and their capacity to make decisions and/or comprehend is diminished.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment. Sexual harassment involves demanding favours of a sexual nature, generally with the harasser taking advantage of a situation of superiority, which may be related to a workplace, educational or similar environment. If the victim does not accept, they may receive punishments or threats. It also includes online harassment, where the harasser uses electronic means (the internet, email, mobile phones, social networks, instant messaging, etc.) to manipulate, blackmail and threaten the victim in order to obtain sexual favours

Substantiated information by:

Lluïsa García Esteve
Olga Puig Navarro
Teresa Echeverría

Published: 22 July 2021
Updated: 20 September 2021

The donations that can be done through this webpage are exclusively for the benefit of Hospital Clínic of Barcelona through Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica and not for BBVA Foundation, entity that collaborates with the project of PortalClínic.

Subscribe

Receive the latest updates related to this content.

Thank you for subscribing!

If this is the first time you subscribe you will receive a confirmation email, check your inbox

An error occurred and we were unable to send your data, please try again later.