Are There Different Types of Sexual Coercion?
Sexual coercion is the act of getting someone to “consent” to sex when they do not want to by using guilt, blackmail, tricks, or using the victim’s weakness against them (for example, offering drinks to a recovering alcoholic to get that person to consent to sex). Sexual coercion can cause emotional and psychological trauma that could last for many years. It is important for people to be able to understand the different situations in which coercion can occur so they can do their best to avoid it.
A False Sense Of Obligation
The simple statement, “You should have to have sex with me because it will help your career” is sexual coercion. No one is obligated to have sex. The act of trying to gain consent by creating a false sense of obligation is sexual coercion.
Threats
Sexual coercion through threats can happen in many different situations. Your co-worker could threaten to accuse you of poor performance to your employer if you do not consent to sex, or your manager could threaten to fire you if you do not agree to sexual acts.
A False Sense Of Guilt
In some relationships, situations can arise where one party will tell the other that the relationship is falling apart because of a lack of sex. In workplace situations, an aggressor may tell the victim that a lot of money was given as a bonus and now sex is expected. When false consent for sex is given out of guilt, that is sexual coercion.
The Need To Keep The Peace
In a working relationship, sometimes one employee will feel obligated to have sex because of the potentially explosive personality of the superior or co-worker. Feeling forced to have sex out of fear of what the other person will do is a form of sexual coercion.
The Way Things Work
If a supervisor tries to convince a subordinate that exchanging sexual favors for a raise or extra time off is the “way things are done”, that is considered sexual coercion.
If you are the victim of sexual coercion, you can turn to us. We encourage you to give our compassionate sexual coercion attorney a call to find out what you can do to stop the mental anguish that comes with sexual coercion and right the wrongs committed against you. We will listen to what you have to say and let you know what your legal options are.