Difference between sexual assault and harassment?

[Messianic_Monk]

... long story short something happened to me when I was 15 and I'm trying to figure out the difference between assault and harassment.

[Agape93]

I'll give an example.

If I found you attractive and relentlessly hit on you despite you asking me not to, that's harassment.

If I found you attractive and made any sexual contact on you without prior permission, that's a sexual assault.

If I found you attractive, drugged you or black mailed you into copulation, that's rape.

[Messianic_Monk]

*nods* kind of what I thought. That clears that up 👍🏽 thanks.

Of course, proving that contact is sexual in nature is the part that needs to be done of course. But I digress.

[Agape93]

Yeap. That's where witnesses, cameras or audio recorders can help.

[Agape93]

Hope you get the help you need man, you're not alone

[Messianic_Monk]

... Probably no legal action. Between 8 years since it happened, no cameras or witnesses (whether planned or by chance) and... just who he did it to... I doubt anything would happen unless he did something to someone else. I appreciate the words of comfort and encouragement tho 👍🏽

[Agape93]

Ah gotcha...

All the same, you take care of yourself alright?

[Messianic_Monk]

Thanks 😊 I appreciate it 🙏🏽

[Tyrael]

My understanding which has no real legal basis, is that harassment is verbal/online and assault is physical.

[Messianic_Monk]

Perhaps harassment could be in real life... like overtly sexual and repeated comments towards someone who doesn't welcome it. But that sounds about right. Thanks 👍🏽

[Messianic_Monk]

Oops... I didn't see you say "verbal" 😅 but yeah, I think you're right 👍🏽

[KostasKouvalis]

Assault is physical, harassment is mental and verbal

[Messianic_Monk]

*nods* I thought so. Thanks 👍🏽

[joeldalton]

Assault usually includes physical touch.

[Messianic_Monk]

I kinda thought so 👍🏽 thanks for the opinion.