Gender-based violence

Sexualized violence is any act of a sexual nature that occurs without consent. It includes any sexual act or act that targets someone’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression. Sexualized violence can range from unwanted sexual comments to sexual assault.

• Sexualized violence can be physical or psychological
• It can be threatened, attempted, or committed
• It can be an ongoing situation or a one-time event
• It can be something that happens in-person or online
• It can happen between strangers, between students or co-workers, or between people in a relationship

Sexual assault is any sexual contact that happens without the consent of both people. It can range from unwanted sexual touching to forced sexual intercourse. It can occur anywhere—in a home, at a community facility like a recreational centre, or in a public place. It can occur even when people know each other or are married or dating. 

If you have been in any of the following situations, you may have been a victim of sexual assault:

• Your words or actions indicated that you did not want to have or continue sexual contact, but the sexual contact continued
• You agreed to sexual contact because someone threatened or used force on you
• You were not able to give consent to sexual contact (for example, you were under the age of 12, you were drugged or impaired, or have a disability that impacts your ability to provide consent)
• Someone persuaded you to have sexual contact by using their position of authority or power

Sexual assault can be committed by strangers but, most often, it is committed by someone the victim knows, such as a family member, partner, acquaintance, or someone in a position of trust or authority.

Sexual harassment refers to unwanted or unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can occur in person or online. Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to:

• Requests for sexual favours
• Unwanted or unwelcome physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions
• Sexually suggestive, obscene, or degrading comments or gestures
• Offensive jokes or remarks of a sexual nature
• Leering, staring, or catcalling
• Stalking or cyber-stalking
• Sharing live streams, videos, or images of sexual assault
• Displaying, circulating, or sharing pictures or other materials of a sexual nature
• Unwelcome questions or remarks about a person’s sex life, gender appearance, clothing, and/or sexual orientation
• Expressed or implied promise of reward in return for complying with a sexual request

Sexual harassment may interfere with your ability to participate in employment, school, or daily life; it may create an intimidating, humiliating or hostile environment.

Sexual exploitation is any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes, including profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

Despite 16 being the legal age when a person can consent to sexual activity, a 16- or 17-year-old cannot consent if: 

• Their sexual partner is in a position of trust or authority towards them, for example, their teacher or coach
• The young person is dependent on their sexual partner, for example, for care or support
• The relationship between the young person and their sexual partner is exploitative

The following factors may be taken into account when determining whether a relationship is exploitative of the young person:

• The young person's age
• The age difference between the young person and their partner
• How the relationship developed (for example, quickly, secretly, or over the internet)
• Whether the partner may have controlled or influenced the young person

Technology-facilitated sexualized violence includes various abusive behaviours online, including online harassment, threats, trolling, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images, all carried out using technology as a central tool. 

Sextortion occurs when online predators convince a young person to take sexual photos or record sexual acts. They threaten to post the photos or videos online unless the person pays money or provides more inappropriate materials. In most cases, young people get involved in this kind of situation because they think they’re talking with another young person. 

Learn more at erase bullying and erase online safety.

The Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA) provides a pathway to legal action for victims, including youth, who have had their images distributed without consent. The IIPA supports a new process to have images taken down and seek damages through the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT).

The Intimate Images Protection Service supports people who have had their intimate images shared, or threatened to be shared, without their consent. The Service provides emotional support, resources, and information about how to get intimate images removed. They can also help with applications to the CRT or other reporting processes. More information can be found on the Take Back Your Images web page, including about requirements for youth reporting.

Learn more at erase online safety.

If you or someone you know has experienced any kind of gender-based violence, including sexualized violence, here’s what you can do:

Talk to a trusted adult (e.g., parent, teacher, school counsellor). If you want someone at school to know, use the erase Report It tool. Reports can be anonymous.

If you are scared or in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police.

If you want to report sexualized violence as a potential crime:

• Make a report to police. When speaking with police, you can bring an advocate with you, such as a parent, trusted adult or counsellor
• If you are a victim of a sexual offence in British Columbia and are 19 or older, you may be able to report the crime through a third party so you remain anonymous to the police

Sex discrimination and sexual harassment can be reported to the BC Human Rights Commissioner. Find more information from Human Rights in British Columbia: Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (PDF, 80.7KB).

• BC Network of Child and Youth Advisory Centres
• Kids Help Phone
• Need Help Now
• Take Back Your Images
• Teen Digital Dating Violence Toolkit (BC Society of Transition Houses)
• VictimLinkBC
• Youth Against Violence Line
• Youth in BC 24-hour Crisis Response Online Chat and Phone Lines
• Youth Violence Prevention Training- BWSS

Sexualized violence is any act of a sexual nature that occurs without consent. It includes any sexual act or act that targets someone’s sexuality, gender identity or gender expression. Sexualized violence can range from unwanted sexual comments to assault.

• Sexualized violence can be physical or psychological
• It can be threatened, attempted, or committed
• It can be an ongoing situation or a one-time event
• It can be something that happens in-person or online
• It can happen between strangers, between students or co-workers, or between people in a relationship

Sexual assault is any sexual contact that happens without the consent of both people. It can range from unwanted sexual touching to forced sexual intercourse. It can occur anywhere—in a home, at a community facility like a recreational centre, or in a public place. It can occur even when people know each other or are married or dating. 

If your child has been in any of the following situations, they may have been a victim of sexual assault:

• Their words or actions indicated that they did not want to have or continue sexual contact, but the sexual contact continued
• They submitted to sexual contact because someone threatened or used force on them
• They were not able to give consent to sexual contact (for example, they were under the age of 12, drugged, impaired or have a disability that impacts their ability to provide consent)
• Someone persuaded them to have sexual contact by using their position of authority or power

Sexual assault can be committed by strangers. But most often, it is committed by someone the victim knows, such as a family member, partner, acquaintance, or someone in a position of trust or authority.

Sexual harassment refers to unwanted or unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can occur in-person or online. Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to:

• Requests for sexual favours
• Unwanted or unwelcome physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions
• Sexually suggestive, obscene, or degrading comments or gestures
• Offensive jokes or remarks of a sexual nature
• Leering, staring or catcalling
• Stalking or cyber-stalking
• Sharing live-streams, videos, or images of sexual assault
• Displaying, circulating or sharing pictures or other materials of a sexual nature
• Unwelcome questions or remarks about a person’s sex life, gender appearance, clothing, and/or sexual orientation
• Expressed or implied promise of reward in return for complying with a sexual request

Sexual harassment may interfere with a person’s ability to participate in employment, school, or daily life; it may create an intimidating, humiliating or hostile environment.

Sexual exploitation is any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes, including profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

Despite 16 being the legal age when a person can consent to sexual activity, a 16- or 17-year-old cannot consent if: 

• Their sexual partner is in position of trust or authority towards them, for example, their teacher or coach
• The young person is dependent on their sexual partner, for example for care or support
• The relationship between the young person and their sexual partner is exploitative

The following factors may be taken into account when determining whether a relationship is exploitative of the young person:

• The young person's age
• The age difference between the young person and their partner
• How the relationship developed (for example, quickly, secretly, or over the internet)
• Whether the partner may have controlled or influenced the young person

Learn more at erase consent.

Technology-facilitated sexualized violence includes various abusive behaviours online, including online harassment, threats, trolling, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images, all carried out using technology as a central tool. 

Sextortion occurs when online predators convince a young person to take sexual photos or record sexual acts. They threaten to post the photos or videos online unless the person pays money or provides more inappropriate materials. In most cases, young people get involved in this kind of situation because they think they’re talking with another young person. 

Learn more at erase bullying and erase online safety.

The Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA) provides a pathway to legal action for victims, including youth, who have had their images distributed without consent. The IIPA supports a new process to have images taken down and seek damages through the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT).

The Intimate Images Protection Service supports people who have had their intimate images shared, or threatened to be shared, without their consent. The Service provides emotional support, resources, and information about how to get intimate images removed. They can also help with applications to the CRT or other reporting processes. More information can be found on the Take Back Your Images web page, including about requirements for youth reporting.

Learn more at erase online safety.

• A consent-based approach for teaching gender-based violence prevention is rooted in teaching students about healthy relationships. When students understand what consent is and learn to view situations through the lens of consent, they learn that it is possible to have healthy relationships with others where everyone is respected
• Teaching students about consent provides them with the skills to leave uncomfortable situations, to respect others that want to do the same, and to help prevent sexual coercion, harassment, and assault

• Provide a safe, inclusive classroom environment. When discussing gender-based violence, it is crucial that all individuals feel safe, and students should understand that all individuals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity
• Create space for uncomfortable conversations. Acknowledge that some students may feel uncomfortable talking about gender-based violence and that it is okay to feel that way. These are opportunities for students to develop their social-emotional learning skills
• Help students understand the ways they can take action in real-life situations (e.g., how to safely intervene in situations) and they are in control of their own choices and actions
• Give students the chance to reflect on their own attitudes, biases and values in ways that lead to deep, meaningful conversations and changing attitudes about gender-based violence
• Conversations about gender-based violence affect each person differently. Let students know what supports are available and how to access them
• If possible, team up with guidance counselors, social workers, and mental health support professionals to provide students with additional knowledge and support to discuss personal matters if they want to

• erase Student Sessions (saferschoolstogether.com)
• Gender-Based Violence Prevention Education Resources | Ophea.net
• Gender-Based Violence Teaching Network
• Learning modules for youth - Canada.ca
• Supporting Student Health Resource Guide - Elementary (gov.bc.ca) (PDF, 2.2MB)
• Supporting Student Health Resource Guide - Secondary (gov.bc.ca) (PDF, 2.3MB)