Information about sexual violence
Sexual violence is any sexual act that happens without consent, including gestures, sounds, words and actions.
The pyramid of sexual violence
The pyramid image included on this page, created by anti-sexual violence educators, explains how different types of sexual violence are connected.
Attitudes and beliefs are at the bottom of the pyramid, acting as the foundations that uphold and enable other forms of sexual violence like verbal and physical expressions to happen.
The next level up is ‘normalisation of violence’, followed by ‘removal of autonomy’. ‘Physical expressions of violence’ are at the top of the pyramid. The higher you go up the pyramid, the more unlawful and less socially acceptable the sexual violence is considered.
Read about the different levels of the pyramid to see why the ways we think, talk, and act matter:
Attitudes and beliefs
Like other forms of violence, sexual violence often starts with established attitudes and beliefs about other people. This includes:
- sexism
- misogyny
- racism
- homophobia
- transphobia
- ableism
- other prejudices.
Attitudes and beliefs can escalate to physical expressions of violence when left unchallenged. Some examples of attitudes and beliefs that normalise sexual violence include things like victim blaming and rape myths.
While attitudes and beliefs are often viewed as less serious, they act as the foundations that hold up all other forms of sexual violence. Intervention at this level can change someone’s attitudes and beliefs, so it’s less likely they’ll progress to other forms of behaviour like verbal and physical expressions of violence.
Normalisation of violence and verbal expression
When family and friends share and reinforce negative attitudes and beliefs, they become normalised, and they’re more likely to transition to verbal expressions of sexual violence, such as:
- sexist and prejudiced jokes
- cat-calling or wolf-whistling
- making objectifying comments about others
- leering.
Without intervention, people carrying out these behaviours and verbal expressions of sexual violence will internalise and strengthen these attitudes and beliefs. They may also progress to other stages of the pyramid, like physical expressions of violence.
Removal of autonomy
Sexual violence is the result of power imbalances. It’s about power, control, and who is valued in our society and who isn’t. People who verbally express their attitudes and beliefs may also choose to engage in physical expressions of sexual violence.
This might include behaviours and acts that remove the autonomy of another person but do not escalate to the most extreme forms of sexual violence. Examples at this stage of the pyramid include:
- non-consensual sharing of intimate images (also known as revenge porn)
- non-consensual exposure and stalking.
Physical expression of violence
The top of the sexual violence pyramid refers to physical expressions of violence. These behaviours are more commonly recognised as sexual violence and include acts like:
- assault
- abuse
- exploitation.
The pyramid doesn’t measure or rank behaviours. Instead, it shows how each level of the pyramid builds on the ones before it, enabling serious physical expressions of violence.
If we address the attitudes and beliefs that are the foundation of sexual violence, the pyramid is dismantled, and physical expressions of violence are less likely to take place.
It’s important to reflect on the way we think and talk, not just how we act.
Language and definitions
Using common language helps us understand each other better so we can address issues together. Read through definitions of different types of sexual violence:
Sexual assault
Sexual assault happens when someone touches another person in a sexual manner or makes another person take part in sexual activity with them, without that person's consent.
This can include:
- rape
- attempted rape
- kissing
- sexual touching (including through clothes)
- pressing up against another for sexual pleasure.
Sexual misconduct
Sexual misconduct refers to sexual harassment and sexual assault. It is a broad term that includes any type of action or violence that uses power, control and/or intimidation to harm someone. It can also include domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
Sexual misconduct occurs when there is no consent given. If someone says ‘no’ to any kind of sexual activity, they are not agreeing to it. Someone doesn't have to say ‘no’ out loud. Giving and withdrawing consent can be verbal and non-verbal.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual behaviour – verbal, visual, written, or physical – that makes someone feel upset, scared, offended or humiliated, or is intended to make someone feel that way.
Sexual harassment is a type of sexual violence and includes a wide range of behaviours like:
- sexual comments or noises (e.g. commenting on someone’s appearance, catcalling)
- sexual ‘jokes’
- unwanted sexual advances or touching (e.g. massaging someone, pushing up against them, hugging, kissing)
- indecent exposure
- leering or staring
- sending inappropriate or sexually offensive texts, images, or videos
- sexual gestures
- lewd comments, sexual innuendos, or suggestive comments
- sexual requests or asking for sexual favours
- stalking
- taking a photo or video underneath someone’s clothes (upskirting).
Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. This means that people are legally protected from sexual harassment at the University. Some forms of sexual harassment are crimes in the UK.
Sexual coercion
Sexual coercion is when someone pressures, threatens, tricks, or manipulates someone into a sexual act.
It is a type of sexual assault because even if someone agrees to the sexual act, they are not giving their consent freely.
For example, sexual coercion can include repeatedly asking someone to have sex until they say yes, or offering something in exchange for sex. Find out more about consent.
Facts about sexual violence
- Sexual violence is prevalent in the UK
One in four women, one in 18 men, and one in six children are raped or sexually assaulted in the UK. A total of 6.5 million women in England and Wales have been raped or sexually assaulted since the age of 16.
Sexual violence impacts a huge number of people every year and can have a serious long-term impact on victims and survivors. Find out how you can show up against sexual violence at Leeds.
- Most rapes are carried out by someone the survivor knows
Six in seven women are raped by someone they know. One in two women are raped by their partner or ex-partner. One in three adults who are raped experience it in their own homes. This is why telling people to be careful when walking home at night is unhelpful.
Instead, we should focus on showing up against sexual violence when we see it in our community.
- Most survivors don’t report to the police
Five in six women and four in five men who are raped don’t report it to the police. Many survivors tell someone else, like a friend or family member, what happened.
Survivors often don’t report to the police because they’re embarrassed, they don’t think the police can help, or they think it will be humiliating.
For more information about sexual violence, visit the Rape Crisis England and Wales website.
Support services
If you’ve experienced any kind of sexual violence, you’re not alone. Find out about the confidential, non-judgemental support offered by our Harassment and Misconduct team.
Blogs about sexual violence
Read blogs discussing sexual violence written by different people in our Leeds community: