Read on Twitter
Assault isn’t just violent rape. It’s your no being ignored. It’s having your awkward replies ignored. It’s having ppl do something unexpected after you stated that you’re not ready. It’s having boundaries ignored. It’s having someone sober take advantage of you while intoxicated
It’s looking uncomfortable but having someone continue anyways. It’s having someone force themself onto you while you push them away. It’s giving an “I don’t know” and someone go full force without asking. It’s asking them to stop and them coaxing you to keep going
It’s saying “not yet” while flirting and having someone take that as a yes. It’s saying yes, changing your mind, and having someone badger you into keeping it going. It’s someone pressuring you until you say yes. Assault has many forms and doesn’t always include penetration.
Any unwanted or coaxed physical sexual interactions are assault. Power dynamics affect things too. If you are touched sexually and have not given an explicit “yes” without being badgered to give that answer then it is assault.
I often have felt the need to justify my experiences because a lot of them aren’t “violent”. That’s bogus. Assault is assault whether brutal or not. I have been assaulted more times than I can count. I know many people who have been as well. Ppl like to normalize “mild” assault.
But assault is assault. You were assaulted if you were heavily pressured. You were assaulted if you gave every sign you didn’t want it, even if you didn’t say no, and they kept going. Etc. You don’t have to pretend it’s okay. It’s not. Your experiences are valid.
There doesn’t need to be blood and gore involved for assault to be considered assault.
Rant over. Had to get this off my mind.
