Someone has done something sexual to you that you did not want.

When we say ‘sexual violence’ in this pathway, we mean any sexual act that happened to you without your clear and willing agreement. This agreement is called consent. If you did not give consent, that is sexual violence and it is a crime.  People might use different words for this, such as sexual abuse, sexual assault, unwanted sexual acts, forced sexual acts or rape.

You did not give consent, if, for example:

• You did not say or do anything to communicate consent.
• You agreed at first but then changed your mind and the person did not stop.
• You agreed because you were scared, pressured, threatened, or the person used their power over you—like a teacher, carer, or someone else in a position of authority.
• You agreed to one sexual act but the person did something different without your agreement. (For example, ‘stealthing’, which is removing or tampering with a condom without your consent.)
• you are or were under 16 when it happened
• you were too intoxicated to make decisions.

Not saying “no” or not fighting back does not mean you agreed. Many people experience a “freeze” response during trauma. This can make you feel disconnected, unable to move, or unable to speak—even if you wanted to.

Queensland law has recently changed to make it clear that a person must show consent actively and freely, through their words or actions. If someone did not say or do anything to show they were agreeing, the law now recognises that as no consent.

Experiencing sexual violence is never easy and it is never your fault, regardless of:

• whether it happened recently or years ago
• who hurt you
• whether it happened more than once
• whether or not it caused visible, physical injury to you
• whether you decided to report to police or not
• whether you had been drinking or using recreational drugs
• whether the person who used violence against you had been drinking or using recreational drugs
• whether the person who used violence against you was upset or stressed
• whether you were believed by others or not
• how you coped with it afterwards.

Sexual violence can be physical:

• someone touching you inappropriately
• someone making you touch them inappropriately
• forcing you to have sex (even if you have had sex with them previously or were having sex and decided you didn’t want to continue)
• genital mutilation (sometimes referred to as female circumcision or cutting).

Sexual violence can be non-physical:

• using words or threatening you with sexual violence
• making you look at someone else doing sexual acts
• sending intimate photos or videos (such as nudes) of you to others or posting them online without your permission, including images that have been altered through technology
• sending menacing, harassing or offensive messages that are sexual in nature.

Sexual violence can be committed by and experienced by both men and women.

It is still sexual violence and a crime, even if it is done by:

• your husband or wife
• your current or former partner
• someone you have previously had sex with
• a family member
• a friend
• someone you know
• someone you don’t know.