Am I really a survivor if it happened online and I was never physically touched?

Answer

Absolutely. In this digital age, the concept of sexual violence has expanded beyond physical encounters to include online spaces. Online sexual violence refers to any non-consensual sexual activity or behavior that takes place over digital platforms, including social media, messaging apps, virtual reality platforms, and online forums. Online sexual violence can manifest in various forms, such as cyberstalking, revenge porn, sextortion, and grooming, all of which can cause significant harm to individuals' psychological and emotional well-being. Even without physical touch, the violation of one's boundaries, consent, and privacy in online interactions can result in trauma and distress similar to that experienced in contact sexual assaults.

If you would like to learn more about online abuse, please read our most recent blog and explore the resources linked within it. You are not alone.

I'm struggling to understand experiences from my childhood. When I was seven, a friend of the same age initiated inappropriate physical contact during what she called a 'game'. This involved restraint and unwanted touching. As we got older (around 10-11), the actions escalated to include oral contact. Although I didn't enjoy these interactions, I often froze and couldn't express my discomfort. I continued the friendship and visiting her house. Years later, I still have vivid, uncomfortable memories of these events. I'm unsure if this qualifies as child-on-child sexual abuse (COCSA), given our young ages and my uncertainty about whether she understood the implications of her actions. I never explicitly told her I didn't want this to happen. How should I interpret these childhood experiences?

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Understanding Trauma & Violence

Is numerous cheek kisses and words of affection that were non-violent and a way of showing respect and admiration to the other person child-on-child sexual abuse (COCSA)? He was an older teen and I was around 5 or 6 years old. He put me on his lap in church.

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Understanding Trauma & Violence

I'm struggling to understand an experience from my childhood. When I was 8-9, my older brother (12-13) initiated inappropriate sexual behavior with me. He exposed me to adult content and encouraged me to participate in sexual acts. At the time, I felt I was willingly participating, but now I realize I didn't fully understand what was happening. The situation involved secrecy and hiding from our parents. When they discovered something had occurred, I was reluctant to discuss it. Years later, when I told my father, he advised me not to tell anyone until I was 18, saying my brother could face legal consequences. I'm confused about how to categorize this experience. Was this child-on-child sexual abuse (COCSA)? I'm seeking understanding after years of confusion. How can I process this and move forward?

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Question

Am I really a survivor if it happened online and I was never physically touched?

Answer

For immediate help, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-4673

Free. Confidential. 24/7

© Our Wave 2024. All rights reserved.

Made with in Raleigh, NC

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Resources

Question

Am I really a survivor if it happened online and I was never physically touched?

Answer

Related Questions

Is numerous cheek kisses and words of affection that were non-violent and a way of showing respect and admiration to the other person child-on-child sexual abuse (COCSA)? He was an older teen and I was around 5 or 6 years old. He put me on his lap in church.

For immediate help, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-4673

Free. Confidential. 24/7

For Updates & More

© Our Wave 2024. All rights reserved.

Made with in Raleigh, NC

Safety Exit

Resources