What is Sexual Coercion?
Struckman-Johnson & Anderson defined the best definition of what sexual coercion is in 2003. They stated that sexual coercion is “the act of using pressure, alcohol or drugs, or force to have sexual contact with someone against his or her will; the tactics of post-refusal sexual persistence {used are] defined as persistent attempts to have sexual contact with someone who has already refused”
Types of Sexual Coercion (as defined by AFSPC)
Verbal Pressure: Begging, flattery, name calling, tricking, arguing, lying or misleading. For example: "You are just so hot/fine/sexy, I can't help myself." "I am so turned on. Please don't make me stop now." "Please. You know you want it."
Social Pressure: Peer pressure or the threat of social isolation. Buying gifts or spending money to make you feel you 'owe' sex. For instance: "Everyone expects us to have sex." "You're being a tease." "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Emotional Pressure: Taking advantage of the level of trust or intimacy in a relationship. Exploiting your emotions or threatening the loss of the relationship. Making you feel guilty about not engaging in sexual activity and wearing you down by using the same tactic over and over again. Phrases like these may be used: "If I don't get it from you, I will get it from someone else." "I want to show you how much I care about you." "If you love me, you will have sex with me." "You have had sex before, what's the problem?"
Drugs/Alcohol: Alcohol in the context of sexual coercion is one of the most frequently methods by men and women to lower the victim's inhibitions ("loosen them up") or lessen their verbal resistance to sexual advances.
You are being coerced if: (Taken from WM.edu)
· You feel like you lack a choice
· You face potential social consequences if you don't engage in a behavior
· You are relentlessly pressured
· You feel threatened or afraid of what might happen if you resist
· A person abuses authority and rank to get you to comply.
· A person continues pressure after you have said no
Examples of coercion: (Taken from WM.edu)
· threatening to harm someone if they do not do what you want
· using a weapon to get someone to do what your want
· abusing power or authority to get someone to do what you want
· using physical force to get what you want
· using emotional pressure to get someone to do what you want
· using social/peer pressure or your social standing to get someone to do what you want
Struckman-Johnson & Anderson defined the best definition of what sexual coercion is in 2003. They stated that sexual coercion is “the act of using pressure, alcohol or drugs, or force to have sexual contact with someone against his or her will; the tactics of post-refusal sexual persistence {used are] defined as persistent attempts to have sexual contact with someone who has already refused”
Types of Sexual Coercion (as defined by AFSPC)
Verbal Pressure: Begging, flattery, name calling, tricking, arguing, lying or misleading. For example: "You are just so hot/fine/sexy, I can't help myself." "I am so turned on. Please don't make me stop now." "Please. You know you want it."
Social Pressure: Peer pressure or the threat of social isolation. Buying gifts or spending money to make you feel you 'owe' sex. For instance: "Everyone expects us to have sex." "You're being a tease." "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Emotional Pressure: Taking advantage of the level of trust or intimacy in a relationship. Exploiting your emotions or threatening the loss of the relationship. Making you feel guilty about not engaging in sexual activity and wearing you down by using the same tactic over and over again. Phrases like these may be used: "If I don't get it from you, I will get it from someone else." "I want to show you how much I care about you." "If you love me, you will have sex with me." "You have had sex before, what's the problem?"
Drugs/Alcohol: Alcohol in the context of sexual coercion is one of the most frequently methods by men and women to lower the victim's inhibitions ("loosen them up") or lessen their verbal resistance to sexual advances.
You are being coerced if: (Taken from WM.edu)
· You feel like you lack a choice
· You face potential social consequences if you don't engage in a behavior
· You are relentlessly pressured
· You feel threatened or afraid of what might happen if you resist
· A person abuses authority and rank to get you to comply.
· A person continues pressure after you have said no
Examples of coercion: (Taken from WM.edu)
· threatening to harm someone if they do not do what you want
· using a weapon to get someone to do what your want
· abusing power or authority to get someone to do what you want
· using physical force to get what you want
· using emotional pressure to get someone to do what you want
· using social/peer pressure or your social standing to get someone to do what you want