It
is important to know the legal definitions of sexual assault and sexual
harassment to know what constitutes it as a federal crime and to be aware of
who to report to or where to seek advice from.
Definition:
A person commits sexual assault if they intentionally sexually touch another
person and the person does not consent. Sexual assault includes rape and
attempted rape, child molestation, forced pregnancy and sexual violence. When a
person intentionally sexually penetrates another person or causes another
person to sexually penetrate them without the consent of that person and is
aware of the lack of consent, it constitutes as rape and is a federal crime.
A
common mistake made is what people perceive the terms consent and penetration
to be.
Consent means a fee and voluntary agreement. To sexually penetrate means to insert a part of a person's body or an object manipulated by the person into the genitalia, anus or mouth of a person. This means that if you are sexually penetrated without your consent, it falls under the crime of sexual assault and you must report this to the police station, or organisations such as the Fiji Women's Rights Movement, Empower Pacific or Women's Crisis Centre.
Consent means a fee and voluntary agreement. To sexually penetrate means to insert a part of a person's body or an object manipulated by the person into the genitalia, anus or mouth of a person. This means that if you are sexually penetrated without your consent, it falls under the crime of sexual assault and you must report this to the police station, or organisations such as the Fiji Women's Rights Movement, Empower Pacific or Women's Crisis Centre.
Tips:
1. If
anyone is requesting you to engage in sexual activity with them , reply with a
firm 'NO!' and leave the place immediately.
2. If
a person physically restricts you from leaving him or her or a particular
place, kick punch, shout and scream for help.
\ 3. Try
not to travel alone in isolated and common crime settings. Instead, always try
to have at least one other trusted friend or family member with you at all
times.
4. If
you are at a party or social event, do not take a lift or travel with unknown
strangers.
5. Contact
emergency services if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
6. Before
travelling to an event, critically analyse the risks involved and whether it
will be safe for you to attend.
7. Organise
your transport to and from a place beforehand, preferably with a trusted adult.
Links
to the World Health Organisation's information on Sexual Violence and the
Fijian Crime Definitions on Sexual Assault are in the description below.
http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/global_campaign/en/chap6.pdf
http://www.fiji.gov.fj/getattachment/604e31fc-c7b1-41a0-9686-71377917b6eb/Decree-No-44---Crimes-Decree-2009-(pdf).aspx
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