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Unwanted sexual experiences (sometimes called sexual assault) can include any sexual contact, behavior, or pressure that happens without a person choosing it or agreeing to it. Some people recognize what happened right away; others may need time, language, or examples before things feel clearer.

Examples include:

• Being pressured or talked into sexual activity
• Sexual activity that happened without agreeing to it
• Being touched or kissed in a sexual way when it was not wanted
• Receiving sexual messages, pictures, or comments that feel uncomfortable

Everyone reacts differently, and support is available no matter when or how the experience occurred.

For more general information about sexual harm, the offers an overview of consent, boundaries, and unwanted sexual experiences.

Some dating relationships include behaviors meant to control, frighten, or wear someone down over time. These behaviors can be emotional, verbal, digital, financial, or physical, and may be described as relationship harm (sometimes called dating or domestic violence). These signs can build slowly and may be hard to recognize while they are happening.

Examples include:

• Being yelled at, put down, or made to feel small
• Feeling pressured to do things out of fear of someone’s reaction
• Being kept away from friends, family, or activities
• Having texts, social media, or location checked without permission
• Money, transportation, or basic needs being controlled
• Being physically hurt, threatened, or scared

Support can be helpful whether the relationship is ongoing, ending, or already over.

For additional examples of concerning behaviors, the provides a helpful overview of warning signs.

Stalking happens when someone continues to give unwanted contact or attention that makes another person feel scared, stressed, or watched. One action by itself might seem small, but when similar behaviors continue over time, the situation can feel overwhelming or confusing.

Examples include:

• Repeated messages or calls, especially after being asked to stop
• Showing up unexpectedly at school, work, or home
• Watching or checking online activity
• Appearing where someone usually goes
• Sending unwanted gifts or notes
• Asking others for information about where someone is or who they are with

Some individuals recognize stalking only after talking with someone else or seeing examples that feel familiar.

For more information about stalking and unwanted contact, visit .