collocation · academic
sexual assault
UK/ˈsɛkʃuəl əˈsɔːlt/US/ˈsɛkʃuəl əˈsɔlt/SEX·u·al a·SAULT
Any unwanted sexual act or contact performed without consent; a legal term covering non-consensual touching up to rape.
Examples
“Universities must take allegations of sexual assault seriously and offer support to students.”
“Many survivors do not report sexual assault because of fear and stigma.”
“The policy clearly defines what constitutes sexual assault and the disciplinary steps that will follow.”
Band 8 sentence
“Sexual assault is a pervasive violation of bodily autonomy that demands comprehensive legal reform and survivor-centred support services.”
Collocations
- survivors of sexual assault
- report sexual assault
- allegations of sexual assault
Word family
Common mistakes
sex assault→sexual assault
assault sexual→sexual assault
rape (for every unwanted sexual act)→sexual assault (when the act may not meet the legal definition of rape)
Say it for a higher band
5rape→6sexual harassment→7+sexual assault
Synonyms
sexual violence
Easily confused
sexual harassment
“Many victims of sexual harassment do not report the behaviour to HR.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Crime & Law
Learn it with its set