Sexual abuse
What it is
Any non-consensual sexual act. Includes touching, penetration, being made to watch pornography, or any imposed sexual activity. It doesn't require physical force — pressure, fear, and manipulation count too.
How it gets justified
“It wasn't that bad — there wasn't even any violence.”
Sexual abuse doesn't require physical force. Pressure, fear, manipulation, and coercion count. The body registered a violation of your limits — that read is correct.
“You didn't say no.”
The absence of "no" isn't consent. Consent is "yes" — active, free, in the moment. Freezing, fear, and dissociation aren't acceptance. They're a body under threat.
Related patterns
If this is happening now, get help.
These behaviors put your life at risk. You don't have to face this alone.
See emergency resourcesSomething feels off but you can't name it?
An exercise to listen to what the body already knows.