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.

When I was 8, my 9-year-old cousin convinced me that certain sexually inappropriate behaviors were normal between girls. I don't have many memories of the incidents, but I remember some parts clearly. Months later, she tried to get me to engage in these behaviors with our younger cousin, who was 4 or 5 at the time. Thankfully, our parents found out before anything more serious happened. Most of the family made jokes about the situation, but one aunt kindly explained to me why it was wrong and that children should never touch each other in those ways. The older cousin seems to be doing alright now, but I'm not entirely sure. The younger cousin appears normal on the outside, but she has been pressured to date and refuses. I don't know if this is related to what happened. I hope all three of us can heal from this experience, but I feel incredibly guilty. I keep worrying about what might have happened if our parents hadn't intervened or if something worse occurred that I can't remember. Am I both a victim and a perpetrator in this situation?

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Understanding Trauma & Violence

Quiero saber si fui víctima de COCSA. Cuando era niña, a mis amigas les permitían ver contenido para adultos, y ellas intentaban recrear esas cosas conmigo. Me besaban y me tocaban sin que yo entendiera. Una vez, me presionaron para que me desvistiera, y luego se burlaron de mi cuerpo frente a nuestros compañeros de clase, lo cual fue humillante. Eso me dificultó hacer amigas. Ahora que soy mayor, me pregunto: ¿eso fue acoso o abuso? I want to know if I was a victim of COCSA. When I was a child, my friends were allowed to watch adult content, and they tried to reenact those things with me. They kissed and touched me without my understanding. Once, they pressured me to undress, and later mocked my body to our classmates, which was humiliating. It made it hard for me to make friends. Now that I'm older, I wonder - was that harassment or abuse?

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Understanding Trauma & Violence

When I was in kindergarten, a friend asked me to play a game that she said her parents taught her to play only with people she loves. The game involved inappropriate sexual acts. I felt confused and uncomfortable, but I participated. Years later, I'm unsure if this would be considered child-on-child sexual abuse (COCSA) and I don't know how to process these memories, especially given that my friend said her parents taught her the game.

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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

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Resources

Question

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

Answer

Related Questions

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