Definitions
Have you experienced sexual abuse or gender discrimination?
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 applies to England and Wales only. The Equality Act 2010 applies to England, Wales, and Scotland, with some provisions also extending to Northern Ireland.
Sex Discrimination
When you are treated unfairly because of your sex. This could include being shouted at or humiliated, called sexist names, being bullied, being assigned different tasks or having training opportunities restricted compared to crew of a different gender.
Sexual Assault
An act of physical, psychological and emotional violation in the form of a sexual act, inflicted on someone without their consent.
Assault by Penetration
When a person penetrates another person’s vagina or anus with any part of the body other than a penis, or by using an object, without the person’s consent.
Sexual Harassment
Unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which:
- Violates your dignity
- Makes you feel intimidated degraded or humiliated
- Creates a hostile or offensive environment
This could include sexual comments, unwanted touching, unwelcome sexual advances, invasion of privacy such as accessing your cabin without permission, going through your laundry etc.
Rape
When a person intentionally penetrates another’s vagina, anus or mouth with a penis, without the other person’s consent.
Consent
Sexual consent is when we agree by choice to a sexual activity and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice. This means a person cannot give consent if they are scared, threatened, very drunk or under the influence of drugs, or asleep.
Consent is everything.
Consent may be given for one sexual activity but not for another. Consent may be withdrawn if a person changes their mind or wishes the activity to stop.
If you freeze during an attack and are unable to speak, this does not mean you have given consent.
Useful information about consent can be found here www.consentiseverything.com
