Sexual Violence

This page includes information on what sexual violence is, helpful resources, and support services in the community.

If you or someone else are in danger, call 111 and ask for Police.

If you cannot speak, stay silent and press 55. Download the Silent Solution PDF for more information.

Sexual Violence is a term that describes sexual activity or behaviour that a person does not or cannot give consent to.

Sexual Violence is also a family violence issue as the person who uses harmful sexual behaviour is often someone known to the victim/survivor, and it is often through the exploitation of power and control. It does not matter if you are married, in a relationship, family, or strangers – Consent must be obtained. Other terms used include sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harm and harmful sexual behaviour.

Some of the behaviours are:

• Sexual violation: any type of penetrative sex without consent (rape) – vaginal, anal, oral, fingers/hands, object.
• Any indecent exposure such as flashing or inappropriate display of the body
• Unwanted sexual touching, hugging, encroaching on someone's personal space, kissing or indecent assault
• Online harm such as sharing of intimate images or videos including sextorion and deep fakes.
• Any unwanted sexually suggestive comments or jokes, gestures, insults or taunts of a sexual nature, or other forms of inappropriate language
• Any unwanted advances, repeated invitations to go out on dates, particularly if those invitations have previously been declined
• Inappropriate staring or leering
• Using threats, force, intimidation or coercion to induce consent
• Being forced to carry out a sexual act or requests for sexual favours
• Intrusive questions or comments about a person's private life, clothing or physical appearance
• Any unwanted receipt of sexually explicit pictures, posters, gifts, emails or text messages
• Direct or indirect requests for sexual activity that contain an implied or express promise of preferential treatment or threat of detrimental treatment, exploiting a power differential
• Being forced to watch pornography

The behaviour may or may not be entwined with homophobia, biphobia, gender policing, transphobia, ableism, sexism and/or racism.

What is consent?

Consent means the active, ongoing, informed, specific and freely given agreement in response to a request to engage in physical contact, sharing media or sexual activity. Consent cannot be given by someone who is coerced, incapacitated by drugs or alcohol or is so affected by drugs or alcohol that they cannot consent or refuse to consent to the activity. Consent cannot be given by someone who is unconscious or who has a diminished level of consciousness, or otherwise unable to understand and voluntarily give consent. Consent must be actively sought and actively communicated.

Interactive tool: Sexual Consent: Do you get it?

Safety planning

• Staying safe on campus and in social settings - consider creating a safety plan for yourself and with your friends
• Love is respect - another great safety planning resource for students
• Victim's Info

Supporting others

The key actions to a safe response to a disclosure are: Believe them, Listen, Offer Options (for support and reporting - see 'support services' below), Get support for yourself.

• Ensure basic needs are being met: Here to Help U may be able to assist
• Get Help for Someone Else Call Safe To Talk 0800 044 334.

Informative resources

• Specialist Sexual Assault Medical Service (via SAATS). If the sexual assault occurred within the past 7 days, a person can choose to have a forensic examination.
• If you are sexually assaulted – understanding your options - Gender Minorities  Aotearoa.
• The Light Project - This website  provides resources and information about porn for youth, their whānau, and youth professionals.
• Thursdays in Black - National campaign run by, and for, students to prevent and respond to sexual violence in tertiary institutions. Note: Currently, there is not a club at the University of Waikato.
• The Harbour - For those affected by harmful sexual behaviour.