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 what sexual things you do, when you do them, and with whom. Your sexuality belongs to you. If someone does sexual things to you against your will, or gets you to do sexual things, 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 against your will, or if someone uses drugs to make you defenseless. It is also an assault if someone masturbates in front of you against your will, 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 does sexual things to 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 do sexual things with you can be prosecuted, 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 the power imbalance to satisfy their own sexual 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 sexually harassed or exploited online, that also counts as sexual violence. For example, if someone contacts you on social media to persuade you to do sexual things, 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 sexualized insults, stalk you, or keep sending you unwanted messages. Some 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 that your boundaries were crossed? If so, it’s very possible that this person committed a sexual assault.