Violence against women isn’t always physical. Misogynistic behaviour, sexist jokes and ‘banter’ have a big impact on the way we view women and girls. These kinds of behaviour contribute towards a culture of sexual violence, and can often be the catalyst to more serious violent acts.
Knowing what sexual violence is can be the first step in addressing the problem.
How do you or your mates act when you see a woman walking down the street? What sort of messages would you send a girl that you’re trying to impress? How would you react if the girl you were interested in asked you to stop kissing her?
Violence against women isn’t just physical abuse – it's far wider than that. Behaviour such as catcalling, up-skirting, wolf-whistling, sharing unsolicited nude images, or harassing women in a public space are all classed as sexual violence.
It’s time for us all to recognise what sexual violence is and to think about the way we treat women. Together, we need to educate ourselves on what violence against women is, what signs to look out for, and what we should do when we see these types of behaviours happening. Let’s help make Cambridgeshire a safer place for everyone.
All of these examples are behaviours that have been reported in Cambridgeshire. All of these examples are classed as violence. Click on each behaviour to find out more below.
Misogyny is hatred of, or prejudice against, women. Click to see the types of Misogynistic behaviour reported in Cambridgeshire.
Treating women differently to men in the same situation, such as calling a woman a ‘slut’ for sleeping with multiple people, when men wouldn’t be judged in the same manner - they may actually be praised or congratulated for it.
Beeping your horn or shouting from your car window - harassing and being sexually suggestive or threatening towards women whilst they’re exercising.
Shouting harassing and often sexually suggestive or threatening comments at women in public.
Unwarranted comments about a woman’s appearance, what they’re wearing, how attractive they are, giving them an ‘out of 10 score.’
Disrespectfully using nicknames that may be sexually suggestive and/or related to their body or appearance.
Being over-familiar with women, calling them ‘babe’, ‘sweetheart’, ‘girlfriend’, or other pet names that often makes them feel uncomfortable.
Harassment is repeated behaviour that can upset or offend someone, including things like unwanted sexual attention, verbal abuse and offensive language. Click below to see the different types of harassment behaviour reported in Cambridgeshire.
Taking a photo of someone when they have not agreed to it – especially if they are unaware of the photo being taken. These photos are then often shared with friends, or via an online platform.
Invading someone’s personal space by standing too close to them, or following closely behind or next to them.
A pattern of behaviour that aims to make a victim feel isolated and scared. This could be stopping them from seeing their family, taking their phone away from them, monitoring their time online, controlling their finances, humiliating and degrading them, or being verbally and physically abusive.
Using fear tactics to force someone into a position where they have to interact with you, when they do not want to. This oftens puts people in an unsafe or uncomfortable positions. People under the influence of drugs or alcohol can particularly increase feelings of discomfort, as women are fearful of the potentially negative repercussions of ignoring these people.
Continuing to pursue someone after they’ve asked you to leave them alone or made it clear they're not interested in you.
Making sexual gestures such as hand gestures that simulate sex acts, leering, ogling and suggestive facial expressions or using body language to corner, trap or threaten women.
This could be using inappropriate language, calling women names, putting them down or even using silence to punish them.
Intrusive staring of a sexual nature (i.e., staring at specific body parts) that causes harassment, alarm or distress.
Following someone closely but trying to do so without being seen or heard is threatening. Repeatedly doing this to the same person is stalking. Stalking offences include turning up uninvited to locations where a specific person is present, trying to contact a specific person by any means necessary, or spying on the person.
Beeping your horn or shouting from your car window - harassing and being sexually suggestive or threatening towards women whilst they’re exercising.
Sexual Violence is the action or act of unwanted sexual activity - this can include online messages, being asked personal sexual questions, being touched without consent, and rape. Click below to see the different types of sexual violence that can occur.
Forcing someone to have sex with you – by penetrating someone's vagina, anus or mouth with a penis - without their consent. There is no such thing as non-consensual sex. It’s rape.
Sexual assault is when someone touches another person in a sexual manner without their consent. It also includes forcing someone to take part in a sexual activity without their consent.
Telling someone you want to rape them, or that you hope someone else rapes them. it could also include threatening to force someone to perform a sexual act. This could be in person or online.
Using manipulation, bullying, intimidation, threats, or deception to force someone to engage in sexual activity. This could be kissing, oral sex or other sexual touching.
Making sexual and disrespectful noises that make someone feel uncomfortable, such as snorts, fake groans, kiss noises, or screams. This could be when a woman is walking past, or in a group of people.
Unwelcome gestures made towards another person, with the aim of gaining some sort of sexual favour or gratification. This could include coming onto someone by trying to kiss them, or touching their bum.
Asking someone inappropriate or personal questions about sex or their own sex life. This could include asking women ‘how many people have you shagged?’, or about their favourite sex position.
Sending unsolicited sexual pictures or inappropriate content, such as pornography, to someone.
Physical contact or touch when the person doesn’t want it. This could be placing an arm around someone's shoulder, pushing, touching, groping, or unsolicited sexual touching.
Talking sexually about someone to your friends, or out loud so they can hear you. This could be commenting on their body, their clothes, or saying something about how you think they may perform in bed. This could also be performing sexual gestures to imitate sexual acts, either to them or about them.
Exposing genitals or pleasuring yourself in a public space. This could be flashing someone, or masturbating in public.
Using a phone or a camera to take a photo up someone’s skirt without their consent.
