Warning Signs

Behavior Common in Harassers

"According to the U.S. News Report & World Report, harassers exhibit the following behaviors continuously, repeatedly, and/or severely:

• Requests for sex or sexual favors, or makes any kind of sexual advance
• Requests for a date
• Makes comments or remarks of a sexual nature, including ones referring to genitalia and/or physical appearance
• Makes comments or remarks about a person’s sex, such as offensive comments about women or a woman's sexual orientation, as well as other comments that'd be considered discrimination
• Touches either someone or themselves in sexually provocative ways
• Shares or forwards sexually graphic pictures, including provocative and/or explicit personal photos
• Shares or forwards sexually explicit or provocative stories"

(https://fairygodboss.com/articles/signs-of-sexual-harassment)

Signs a Teen is in an Abusive Relationship

"Look for signs that a teen’s boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner has done or said the following:

• Tries to get them to engage in sexual activity that they aren’t ready for
• Sexually assaults them or coerces them into unwanted sexual activity
• Refuses to use contraception or protection against STIs during sexual activity
• Hits them or physically harms them in any way
• Doesn’t want them spending time with friends or family
• Makes threats or controls their actions
• Uses drugs or alcohol to create situations where their judgement is impaired or compromises their ability to say 'yes' or 'no'"

Survivors of Sexual Assault Are At Risk For Being:

• 3 times more likely to suffer from depression
• 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder
• 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol
• 26 times more likely to abuse drugs
• 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

Justifications to Avoid

• "But I've been through worse"
• "But this is what I deserve"
• "But no one else will care about me"
• "But it was just a one-time thing"
• "But they said they would change"
• "But they know things about me that no one else knows"

If you feel reliant on your abuser, check out the resources page. Your situation is not hopeless. There is help for you.