Glossary of Terms

Abuse

The use of physical, emotional, verbal, and/or sexual force to control or dominate another person

Sexual Assault

Includes all acts of sexual violation such as rape, forced sodomy, forced oral copulation, acts committed with foreign objects, and any other unwanted sexual activity

Consent

Willing participation based on choice that is active and based on equal power and is only possible when neither party is incapacitated

Sexual Harassment

Unwanted sexual advances that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment

Domestic Violence

Also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse, is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship

Stalking

Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress

Power-based harm

Power-based violence occurs when a person uses the assertion of power, control, intimidation, and/or coercion to harm another person

Survivor

Someone who has gone through the recovery process, or when discussing the short- or long-term effects of sexual violence. Some people identify as a victim, while others prefer the term survivor.

Sexual and gender-based harm

Sexual and gender-based harm includes violence that disproportionately affects a person or group based on gender, and may be linked to gendered expectations and/or power dynamics

Violence

Any force, energy or action that injures, harms or destroys