Does it count as sexual assault if I stopped the encounter halfway through?

Thanks for reaching out to us. Without knowing the specific context of your situation--whether you initially consented and then changed your mind, were coerced from the beginning, or experienced something else entirely-- it's difficult to provide a definitive answer about your particular experience. However, I can share some general information about consent and sexual assault that may help you understand your situation better.

Sexual assault occurs when any sexual activity happens without ongoing, enthusiastic consent. Consent is not a one-time agreement. It's an ongoing process that can be withdrawn at any point during an encounter. If you indicated you wanted to stop an encounter and the other person continued or pressured you despite that indication, your boundaries were violated. This violation can constitute sexual assault, regardless of what happened before you decided to stop.

It's completely understandable that you might question whether your experience "counts" as sexual assault. Many survivors grapple with these doubts, especially when the situation doesn't match what they might have expected assault to look like. Feeling uncertain or questioning yourself is extremely common, and these feelings don't reflect the reality of what you experienced. Sexual assault exists on a spectrum, and every violation of your consent matters, regardless of duration or the specific circumstances.

Your body and your boundaries belong to you alone. When someone continues sexual activity after you've indicated you want to stop, whether through words, actions, or body language, they are disrespecting your autonomy. Your decision to stop, regardless of when it occurred or what led up to that moment, was your right and should have been immediately respected.

You deserve support and understanding. What happened was not your fault. If you find that these thoughts continue to trouble you or would like individual support, consider reaching out to someone you trust, whether that's a friend, an advocate at a local resource center, or a professional who is trained to help survivors. Organizations like RAINN (1-800-656-HOPE) offer confidential support and can connect you with local resources. Thank you for trusting us with this.