*Content warning: discussion of sexual harassment and coercion
What You Need to Know About Stopping Sexual Coercion
Sexual harassment can take on many forms and can happen in many different places. Understanding what connotates sexual harassment crimes and learning to stop them helps individuals defend themselves and proceed with legal action if desired or necessary. Here’s everything you need to know about how to stop sexual coercion.
What is Sexual Coercion?
Sexual coercion is a type of sex crime potentially occurring in combination with sexual assault or rape. This type of crime is when someone pressures, threatens, tricks, or forces another into unwanted sexual activity by nonphysical means.
Sexual coercion may include or look like this:
- Someone repeatedly asks for sex or sexual activity until the survivor feels worn down
- Someone lies to the survivor and promises something untrue to trick them into having sex
- Someone threatens to end a relationship, spread rumors, or something similar if the survivor does not have sex with them
- An authority figure pressures the survivor into having sex using their power, authority, influence, or status
If you feel forced to have sex or sexual contact with someone in any way, including if they convince you using tricks, threats, pressure, or authority, you face sexual coercion.
Related: Is Sexual Coercion a Crime?
Sexual coercion also applies if someone uses alcohol or drugs to try and get someone to participate in sexual activity with them.
Who commits sexual coercion?
Anyone can use coercion to persuade someone to participate in something sexual. Most of the time, sexual coercion occurs between people who know each other and have some pre-established relationship. This relationship could be as minor as having gone on a single date to close confidantes. Often, people in positions of power commit sexual coercion.
How to Respond to Sexual Coercion in the Moment
If you are experiencing sexual coercion, the best way to respond is to leave the situation as soon and safely as possible and/or tell the person you are uncomfortable and do not want to participate in any sexual activity. If you can safely leave, you should. If you feel comfortable, you can speak up and share your feelings and concerns. Be clear and direct about saying “no” if you feel uncomfortable with the situation becoming sexual.
If the person coercing you is in a position of power over you, speaking up or leaving may feel more difficult. However, you should leave the situation as quickly and safely as possible. Although it may be difficult, the best action is to report the situation to someone with authority, especially if it involves work.
Leave if the person is not listening to your verbal responses, telling them you do not want to have sex or participate in sexual activity. If you or your family might be in physical danger, try to get away. If you feel you may be in immediate danger, call 911.
Coping with Sexual Coercion After it Occurs
You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or chat with them online at the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline. In some cases, sexual coercion falls under the umbrella of sexual harassment.
Sexual Coercion Resources
If sexual coercion occurs at work or concerns work, you can contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
If sexual coercion occurs at school, contact the U.S. Department of Education to file a discrimination complaint with the Office for Civil Rights. If the harassment relates to your housing, i.e., the perpetrator was your landlord, you can file a housing discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Related: Sexual Coercion vs Sexual Assault: What’s the Difference?
Laws Against Sexual Coercion
Although legal texts do not explicitly label sexual coercion a crime, laws covering sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape often make it illegal. Federal law regarding rape and sexual assault contains statutes deeming sexual coercion illegal. Most state laws have similar laws.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 also outlaws sexual harassment in the workplace under Title VII. This section of the CRA mostly focuses on the power dynamics present in the workplace, which play a role in sexual coercion.
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If you or a loved one would like to learn more about Stop Sexual Coercion, get your free consultation with one of our Employment Attorneys today!