What is Sexual Violence? > Behavior Continuums

Continuums of Behaviors

The issue of sexual assault can be confusing because there are many behaviors that may be part of a sexual assault that may also be the same behaviors that are part of the continuum of healthy sexuality - such as touching, kissing, fondling, and sexual intercourse.

We have to remember that:

sexual assault is not "sex gone bad"
it is on a different continuum all together

The difference is simply one of mutuality. On the continuum of sexually assaultive behaviors there is no consent and no care or concern for the other person. On the other hand, healthy sexuality is defined by consent and by care and concern for the other person.

Healthy Sexuality - MUTUAL and CONSENSUAL

Sexual Assault - NOT Mutual and NON-Consensual

The continuum of sexual assault could (and does) include many other behaviors (e.g., obscene phone calls, exhibitionism, stalking, etc.). Similarly, offenders or predators do not have to exhibit all of the above behaviors.