Ending violence / Criminal offences relating to sexuality and relationships:

A sexual assault always crosses your boundaries and violates your rights. It doesn’t matter whether the person is a stranger or someone you know.

What is sexual violence?

You decide for yourself which sexual activities you engage in, when, and with whom. Because your sexuality belongs to you. When someone performs sexual acts on you against your will or forces you to perform them, this is called sexual assault or sexual violence. A sexual assault is always a violation of your boundaries and your right to live free from violence. It is a criminal offense. A sexual assault happens if you are kissed against your will, if touching, oral sex, anal sex, or intercourse occurs without your consent, or if someone makes you submissive or powerless with drugs. It is also an assault if someone masturbates in front of you without your consent, forces you to watch pornography, or sexually harasses you.

Does it matter who the person is?

In cases of sexual assault, it makes no difference whether the person is a stranger, someone you know, or even someone you love. It also doesn’t matter what gender they are, whether they are much older or around your age, or whether they are a family member, a sports coach, a teacher, a friend, or your partner. In short — no matter who the person is: anyone who performs sexual acts on you against your will is committing a crime.

What about age differences?

If you are under the age of consent (in Switzerland: under 16, in Germany: under 14), adults who engage in any sexual acts with you are liable to prosecution, even if you participate voluntarily and are not forced. This is considered sexual exploitation or abuse because the law views it as the older person taking advantage of their superiority to satisfy their own needs through sexual acts with you. In Switzerland, there is an additional rule: if you are under 16, the age difference between you and the other person must not exceed three years.

Are there sexual assaults online?

If you are attacked in a sexual way online, that also counts as sexual violence. For example, if someone contacts you on social media to persuade you to engage in sexual acts, this is called cybergrooming. It is also sexual violence if someone shares sexual images of you online or blackmails you with them. Scammers might pretend to be potential partners to take advantage of your romantic feelings and hopes in order to get your money. People can also harass you with sexual insults, stalk you, or bombard you with unwanted messages. Some criminal groups may even try to force you into sex work. We strongly advise you to be cautious when chatting online.

 

How do I know if I’ve experienced sexual violence?

Your feelings are usually a good indicator of whether you’ve experienced a sexual assault. Do you feel uneasy or uncomfortable about what someone did to you, or about what you did with them? Do you find yourself thinking about it repeatedly, unable to let it go? Do you still feel some kind of emotional pain or violation? If so, it’s very possible that this person committed a sexual assault.