Sexual misconduct and sexual violence are sometimes used as interchangeable terms to describe any form of unwanted sexual behaviour, whether it is verbal, physical, or online.
Sexual misconduct/ violence behaviours can include (this is not a full list of behaviours):
- Sexual harassment: e.g. repeated, unwanted sexual comments or ‘jokes’
- Sexual assault: unwanted sexual touching (over or under clothing)
- Rape: unwanted sexual penetration e.g. penetration of the vagina with a penis without consent
- Stealthing: removal or interference of a condom, or other contraceptive device, without consent
- Image-based abuse: sometimes referred to as “revenge porn” e.g. sharing sexual images without consent (including sharing unwanted ‘dick pics’)
Some sexual misconduct/ violence behaviours are also illegal under the law in England and Wales. These behaviours are outlined in the Equality Act (2010) and the Sexual Offences Act (2003).
Sexual misconduct/ violence behaviours are unacceptable according to University of Law policies and procedures. For more information, see the Policy Addressing Sexual Misconduct by or against Students.
For more information about the impact of sexual misconduct/ violence, please see here.
If sexual behaviour is ‘unwanted’ or ‘non-consensual’, it is sexual misconduct/ violence.
Some facts about the consent that is required for sexual behaviours in England and Wales:
- Children under the age of 16 cannot give consent for sexual behaviours (in some circumstances, the age of consent is 18 years old)
- Consent is required for all sexual behaviours, every time
- Consent cannot be assumed, for example, if you are in a relationship with someone, or if you have had sex before
- Forced consent, for example pressuring someone into saying ‘yes’, is not consent
- Silence is not consent
- Someone who is unconscious or asleep cannot give consent
For more information about consent in sexual relationships, please see here:
- Free Consent training from Brook, a sexual health organisation: Educators: Consent. Relationships & Sexual Education (RSE) Course
- Cycling through Consent Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JwlKjRaUaw Western University – Communications and Public Affairs (MH)
You can access University of Law e-learning on harassment and sexual misconduct via the Safe Inclusive Campus Organisation on Elite.