We use a few umbrella terms when we talk about these matters.

Sexual violence

Sexual violence is defined as physical acts perpetrated against a person's will or where a person is incapable of giving consent, usually referring specifically to sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence.

Sexual misconduct

Sexual misconduct, or "Prohibited Conduct," is how UVA's Sexual Misconduct Policy refers collectively to sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual exploitation, and stalking (clarified under the Policy Statement heading).

If you are unsure whether what happened to you meets the definition of sexual violence or sexual misconduct, we encourage you to connect with the resources in this guide for assistance and support.