Courtship, Harassment, and Sexual Abuse: Defining the Borders

Bárbara Moreira, Nélio Brazão, Joana Carvalho

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Courtship, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse are sometimes difficult to be differentiated. Since each of these concepts is characterized by complexity and ambiguity, obstacles to their conceptualization were briefly discussed. This chapter sought to acknowledge that the borders between these behaviors are very subtle, and there is an emergent need to raise awareness on the wide spectrum of behaviors that constitute sexual violence. As we deepen into this topic, sexual consent entered the discussion to help distinguish healthy and safe sexual interactions from disruptive and dangerous ones. On a social level, there is an inherent danger of normalizing behaviors of sexual harassment and sexual abuse. Implications of sexual harassment and sexual abuse on mental health are further addressed, and suggestions for future practices are made accordingly. Ultimately, it is recommended that practitioners are fully educated on this topic, as consciousness and knowledge are essential tools for the prevention of these types of violence.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTrends in Andrology and Sexual Medicine
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages1-16
Number of pages16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameTrends in Andrology and Sexual Medicine
VolumePart F2332
ISSN (Print)2367-0088
ISSN (Electronic)2367-0096

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

Keywords

  • Courtship
  • Sexual abuse
  • Sexual consent
  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexual violence

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