ASPIRES

Consent:                                                                                                         

Consent is a clear and unambiguous agreement to participate in a sexual activity. Consent must be freely given, ongoing, informed, sober, and it can be withdrawn at any time. Past consent does not imply future consent. 

Sexual Misconduct (Violence):                                                                         

Sexual misconduct/violence is an umbrella term which encompasses sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

Sexual Assault:                                                                                             

Any unwanted touching to someone’s breast, butt or genitals and/or any unwanted penetration orally, anally, vaginally, digitally (with a finger or any other body part) or with an object. Sexual assault is all about power and control, and it is never the survivor’s fault. Sexual assault often involves force or coercion and/or drugs or weapons to incapacitate a victim. 

Unwanted Sexual Contact:

Any type of sexual touching that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient is sexual violence. No one has the right to touch you in any way without your consent. If a touch is unwanted and repeatedly committed without consent - it is abuse, regardless of what the perpetrator or bystanders may say.

Victim or Survivor:

A term to refer to the person who has experienced sexual assault, domestic/dating violence and/or stalking. ASPIRES tends to use the term "survivor" to focus on the resiliency of the person who has experienced this trauma; the criminal justice system tends to use the word "victim."  

Dating / Domestic Violence:

A pattern of abusive behaviors used by one partner over the other in order to maintain power and control.