Sexual Misconduct includes many sex-related behaviors that are not okay and are illegal. In U.S, there are different laws in different states, but most of them have rules against it.
Basically, sexual misconduct is when someone does something sexual to you that you did not want or did not agree to.
Most cases of sexual misconduct can be divided into four main categories: sexual harassment, sexual assault, pedophilia and sexual crimes. Each of these represents a different type of sexual violation, with its own legal definitions and social consequences.
All types of bad behavior, such as saying the wrong things or even physically hurting someone, can seriously spoil the lives of those affected.
To make things better, it is important to know the main differences between these four types so that we can stop it, help those who have been hurt, and bring the culprits to justice.
1. Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is one type of sexual misconduct that occurs when someone makes unwanted sexual advances or comments, or behaves inappropriately towards someone in a sexual manner.
This is against the law and against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which says you cannot discriminate based on sex in the workplace.
So, basically, there are two main types of sexual harassment that the law recognizes.
A. Hostile Environment Harassment
Hostile environment harassment, which is when unwanted sexual behavior is so bad that it creates a really uncomfortable or hostile environment at work or wherever you are.
This can include things like making inappropriate comments about someone body, passing dirty jokes, or showing inappropriate photos or videos.
B. Quid pro quo Harassment
The second type is quid pro quo harassment where someone demands sexual favors in exchange for job benefits such as a promotion or pay raise or to avoid negative consequences such as being fired or demoted.
Situations like a boss demanding sex in exchange for a promotion, a teacher demanding better grades, or a landlord demanding lower rent are very common.
Where it can occur
It is noteworthy that sexual harassment can occur between any gender and between friends or people who have authority over others. This is not limited to workplaces, but can also be found in schools, housing situations, the military, and other places.
Effects it can have on victims
Sexual harassment can really traumatize victims in situations like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and disruption in their work or school performance.
But the laws against it are mainly to protect employees, students, tenants, and anyone else from harassment, not to make “small” matters a big issue among regular people.
After all, any kind of unwanted sexual behavior or harassment in a workplace or school environment is absolutely not okay and things can be really uncomfortable for the people it’s happening to.
It is very important to acknowledge and deal with this type of sexual abuse to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and is safe.
2. Sexual Assault
Sexual harassment is basically any unwanted sexual incident that occurs without the permission of another person. The big difference between a consensual hookup and assault is consent.
To consent, both people must explicitly agree to have sex through words or actions, and give it freely without pressure or force.
Additionally, the person giving consent must be capable of making decisions, meaning they cannot get too messed up on drugs or alcohol. If there is no consent, any sexual activity is considered a crime like sexual assault.
Degrees of Sexual Assault with Examples
There are 4 kinds of levels and types of sexual harassment.
- Rape: Rape, which occurs when a person forces himself on another person without his or her consent, is one of the most serious forms.
- Fondling/groping: Sexual assault can also include unwanted touching or caressing of private parts.
- Sexual coercion: When a person pressures or manipulates another person to perform sexual acts that he or she does not want to do.
- Drug-facilitated sexual assault: Drug-induced sexual assault, which is when someone intentionally gives a victim alcohol or drugs so they can attack them without their consent.
As you know, most sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows – such as a friend, partner, or family member. It’s crazy, but about 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in U.S experience it at some point.
Effects
Sexual assault can really traumatize survivors. It can cause many things like PTSD, feeling depressed, being anxious, turning to drugs, thinking about ending everything, getting pregnant by accident, becoming vulnerable to diseases, and injuries.
Because these crimes are so complex, they are considered serious crimes in most places and people who commit them can get into big trouble.
To prevent these aggressive acts from happening, it is important to make sure everyone involved is on the same page.
By knowing what consent is, sexual harassment can happen in different ways, and by acknowledging how common it is, we can tackle the issue by educating others, holding people accountable, and supporting those who have been affected.
Related: Understanding Child Support in Texas: An Overview of the Basics
3. Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse basically occurs when an adult has sex with a child who is too young to legally consent, usually under the age of 16-18. This is usually someone the child knows, such as a family member, friend, neighbor, teacher, or coach.
Types of child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse can take many different forms. This is when an adult has sex with a child without their consent, such as touching them inappropriately or even raping them.
Child sexual exploitation occurs when children are used to make porn, forced into prostitution, or sold for sex. Nowadays online exploitation is also a big problem.
Scammers will ask children for nude photos or use the Internet to try to get them to meet for sex. Even showing sexual material or porn to a child is considered abusive.
Laws against child sexual abuse
The laws against child sexual exploitation are extremely strict, which can lead to some serious criminal consequences, even if you are in possession of inappropriate images of children.
This shows how society views child sexual abuse as a very horrible crime that really messes with the victims.
Effects of child abuse
The effects of abuse on children can be really difficult and can completely change their lives. This can lead to things like depression, PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and self-harm.
As they grow up, it may be difficult for them to have good relationships, be intimate, and even be a good parent. And sadly, people who were abused in childhood are more likely to be abused again in the future.
It is important to focus on preventing, detecting and tackling child sexual exploitation to protect our most vulnerable people from this horrific violation of their lives and innocence. Its effects can be long-lasting, so it is important to access justice and support services.
4. Sex Crimes
In addition to the main types of sexual harassment, assault and child abuse, there are many other sexual crimes that you should definately know.
Sexual Exploitation
Sexual abuse occurs when a person forces or threatens another person to engage in sexual acts without his or her consent. This can include things like incest, sex trafficking where people are forced into prostitution, and situations where victims are blackmailed into doing sexual things.
Public Sexual Indecency
Public sexual indecency laws basically say that you can’t make sexual advances in public such as making out, staring, showing too much skin, or looking at people without their consent. They are meant to protect people from being exposed to sexually explicit material they did not expect.
Non-Consensual Image Sharing
Sharing intimate photos or videos of someone without their permission, also known as “revenge porn”, is considered sexual assault and a serious crime in many places. This is a violation of privacy which can cause great harm.
Online Sex Crimes
Online sexual crimes are basically a group of questionable sexual content that occurs with the Internet and technology. This can include things like speaking inappropriately to minors, trying to seduce youth, and sharing child porn. This is a big problem that we have to solve.
STD/HIV Criminalization
In some places, there are laws that make it a crime for one partner to knowingly give HIV or other STIs to the other without his or her consent. But these laws are controversial because they can lead to discrimination and stigma.
So, yes, these sexual crimes are banned to protect people’s privacy, prevent exploitation and coercion, and maintain moral and ethical standards when it comes to sex. Many times, minors are victims, which usually results in serious legal consequences.