Glossary of Terms

Sexual activity involving anyone under the age of 18 in exchange for something of value, or promise thereof, to the child or another person or persons

• • “Sexual activity” = prostitution, pornography, stripping

  • “Something of value” = food, clothing, shelter, drugs, protection, money

  • Under federal law, does not need to include an element of force, fraud, or coercion to be considered sex trafficking of a minor

Informed, voluntary, and mutual agreement between people to engage in an activity. Consent cannot be given when an individual does not have the capacity or legal ability to consent (e.g., legally considered a minor, intoxicated by alcohol or other substances, other conditions that affect one’s ability to understand and/or agree to engage in a behavior). An example of sexual consent is an agreement that occurs between sexual partners about the behaviors they both give permission to engage in during a sexual encounter. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in the sexual behavior. This may also be referred to as affirmative consent. 2

Controlling, abusive, and/or aggressive behavior within the context of a romantic and/or sexual relationship.  It can include verbal, physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and/or psychological abuse, be perpetrated against someone of any gender, and happen in any relationship regardless of sexual orientation. 2

A pattern of abusive behavior in a relationship by one individual to gain or maintain control over another individual, if those individuals live in the same domestic setting. This may include verbal, physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and/or psychological abuse as well as control, intimidation, threats and/or stalking. It can happen to individuals who are married, living together, dating, or sexual or intimate partners, as well as to children and other family members, regardless of socio-economic background, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, gender, or gender identity. 2

A person's internal, deeply-felt sense of being male, female, or other, whether or not that gender-related identity is different from the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth. Everyone has a gender identity. 1

A relationship between individuals that consists of mutual respect, trust, honesty, support, fairness/equity, separate identities, physical and emotional safety, and good communication. 2

Physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, violence, or aggression that occurs in a close relationship. It includes threats of violence and coercion and can include verbal, physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and/or psychological abuse, and violation of individual rights. Intimate partner violence is defined by abusive behavior and can occur in all types of intimate relationships regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation and does not require sexual intimacy. 2

A type of sexual assault that involves vaginal, anal, or oral sex using a body part or an object without consent.  Rape is a form of sexual assault, but not all sexual assault is rape. (See also Consent and Sexual Assault.) 2

The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, provision, or obtaining of an individual who under threat, force, coercion, fraud, deception, or abuse of power is sexually exploited for the financial gain of another. Considered a form of modern-day slavery, it does not have to have some form of travel, transportation, or movement across borders. For minors, consent is irrelevant, and the element of means (e.g., force) is not necessary. 2

• Note for clarification: With minors (under 18) force, fraud, and coercion do not not need to be present or proved for an act to be considered sex trafficking.

Any sort of unwanted sexual contact, including but not limited to, force, threats, or taking advantage of an individual, often over a period of time.  A single act of sexual abuse is usually referred to as a “sexual assault.”  (See also Sexual Assault.) 2

The act of committing unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature on a person, whether by an acquaintance or by a stranger. Such contact is unwanted when it occurs without consent of the person, or when the person is incapacitated or otherwise incapable of giving consent. Consent means affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in agreed upon forms of sexual contact. If a student is a subject of sexual assault and is under the age of consent, it shall be deemed that no consent was given. Sexual assault is a form of sexual harassment. 1

The violation of the sexual privacy of another, or taking unjust or abusive sexual advantage of another without consent and when such behavior does not otherwise constitute sexual assault. Consent means affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in agreed upon forms of sexual contact. If a student is a subject of sexual exploitation and is under the age of consent, it shall be deemed that no consent was given. Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual harassment. 1

Any unwanted, unwelcome, or unsolicited verbal or physical act of a sexual nature directed at an individual because of his or her sex. Sexual harassment can include requests for sexual favors or sexual advances when submission to or rejection of the conduct is either an explicit or implicit term or condition of a student's education or participation in a department program, activity, or service. Sexual harassment also includes, but is not limited to, sexual misconduct, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can include conduct such as touching of a sexual nature, making sexual comments, jokes or gestures, writing graffiti or displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures or written materials, calling students sexually charged names, spreading sexual rumors, rating students on sexual activity, or circulating, showing, or creating e-mails or websites of a sexual nature. Sexual exploitation and sexual assault also fall under the definition of sexual harassment. 1