Is it still considered sexual assault if I was never touched but I felt pressured to sexually touch the other person when I didn’t want to?

Thank you so much for this question. While only you can define what you experienced, based on what you shared this can still certainly be a form of sexual assault, even if you were not physically touched by the other person. Sexual assault is not limited to physical contact. It can also include coercion, manipulation, or pressure to engage in sexual activity that you do not want to do.

If you felt pressured or forced to touch the other person when you didn't want to, that is a violation of your consent and your bodily autonomy. It's important to understand that consent should be freely given, and if you felt like you couldn't say no or if you were made to feel like you owed the other person sexual contact, then that is not true consent.

It's common for survivors of sexual assault to feel confused, ashamed, or unsure about what happened to them, especially if the assault didn't fit the narrow definition of what society often thinks of as sexual assault. But it's important to recognize that your experiences and your feelings are valid, and that you deserve support and healing, no matter what form the assault took.

If you're struggling to process what happened to you or if you're experiencing symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or flashbacks, I encourage you to reach out for help. You can talk to a trusted friend or family member, or seek the support of a therapist who specializes in working with survivors of sexual trauma. Remember, you are not alone, and you don't have to go through this all on your own.

It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge what happened to you and to reach out for help, and I want to affirm the strength you've already shown by reaching out to us. Your experiences matter, and you deserve to be heard, believed, and supported. You are not alone.