Definitions and Signs of Dating/Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault/Harassment, and Stalking
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Dating/Domestic Violence
In plain language, domestic/dating violence is behavior within an intimate partner relationship that causes physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, sexual, and/or financial harm. It doesn’t have to be physically violent to qualify as abusive, coercion is often a critical component of domestic violence.
An abuser also tends to use systems to control their partner, including Child Protective Services, immigration enforcement, etc.
An intimate partner relationship is a relationship that includes emotional and physical intimacy
- Usually defined as a spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, significant other, domestic partner, etc.
- Ex-intimate partners are included in interpersonal violence (or IPV) definitions
- Can happen to any demographic of people but disproportionately occurs to historically marginalized communities
For campus policy and legal definitions, see links below:
GA-11 Sex Discrimination Grievance Procedure
Domestic Violence - RCW 10.99.020
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is any sexual contact or behavior that happens without clear, voluntary, and informed consent. It can happen to anyone—and it often involves someone the victim knows.
Sexual assault can include:
- Attempted rape
- Unwanted sexual touching or fondling
- Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts (such as oral sex or penetration)
- Penetration of the victim’s body without consent (this is legally defined as rape)
- Coercing or manipulating someone into sex using threats, lies, guilt, or intimidation
- Engaging in sexual activity with someone who is unable to give consent due to age, intoxication, disability, or unconsciousness
Sexual assault is about power and control—not desire. And it doesn’t require physical violence to be serious. Emotional manipulation, threats, or psychological pressure are just as harmful and just as real.
For more information, visit the RAINN website.
For campus policy and legal definitions, see links below:
GA-11 Sex Discrimination Grievance Procedure
Rape - RCW 9A.44.040 and RCW 9A.44.505
Consent
In this context, consent is a mutual agreement to engage in sexual activity. It should always be clear, voluntary, and communicated without pressure, manipulation, or fear.
Everyone involved must be capable of giving consent. This means they are:
- Of legal age
- Sober and alert
- Not under coercion or threat
Consent isn’t just a one-time check-in. It’s an ongoing conversation. You need consent every time, for every type of activity. Just because someone said yes in the past doesn’t mean they’re saying yes now. Just because someone agreed to one thing doesn’t mean they’re okay with everything.
- Fact: If someone is underage, asleep, intoxicated, or manipulated into saying yes—they cannot give consent.
Information about breaking down "appropriate age" and age of consent laws in WA state.
Stalking
The word "stalking" is commonly used, but we often don't have a shared, or correct, understanding of what it means.
The official definition is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.
Basically, it means that if what's happening is scary/distressing, not the first incident, and targets the same person, it could be stalking.
Examples of stalking behaviors include:
- Surveillance - watching, following, gathering information
- Life invasion - showing up in the victim's life
- Interference - sabotaging, attacking, or otherwise changing the victim's life
- Intimidation - threatening and/or scaring the victim
The most common stalking behaviors experienced by college victims include: unwanted voice or text messages, unwanted emails or social media messages, and being approached/stalker showing up where unwanted. Most stalkers use a combination of in-person and technology-facilitated techniques to harass and abuse their victims.
Most perpetrators of stalking are known to their victims, stalking perpetrators are rarely strangers or unknown to their victims.
For more information about stalking, visit the Stalking Prevention & Awareness Resource Center website.
For campus policy and legal definitions, see links below:
GA-11 Sex Discrimination Grievance Procedure
Stalking - RCW 9A.46.110
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexual attention—verbal, physical, or technology-based—that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment. It can happen in the workplace, at school, online, in public spaces, or even at home.
The workplace remains a common site of harassment, especially for those in customer-facing, lower-wage, or male-dominated roles.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Requests for sexual favors in exchange for a promotion, grade, or opportunity
- Sexual jokes, innuendos, or comments about someone’s body or sex life
- Showing or sending explicit photos or messages without consent
- Repeatedly asking someone out after they’ve said no
- Unwelcome touching, groping, or hugging
- Exposing oneself or performing sexual acts in public or inappropriately
Sexual harassment doesn’t always target a specific individual. Comments that demean a group—such as sexist jokes about women or gay people—can also count.
For more information about sexual harassment, visit the RAINN website.
For campus policy and legal definitions, see links below: