Sexual assault is a crime of violence often motivated by aggression and the desire for power and control, with the assailant using sexual contact as a weapon. It involves non-consensual sexual acts perpetrated by those in positions of power against more vulnerable individuals. Sexual assault encompasses a range of coercive behaviors, including:
- Non-consensual kissing or touching
- Attempted rape or rape.
- Groping
- Any sexual act with a minor, regardless of perceived consent
- Unwanted sexual comments or advances.
- Non-consensual photography or sharing of intimate images
While sexual assault can affect anyone, women face disproportionate risk. Particularly vulnerable groups include adolescents, survivors of childhood abuse, persons with disabilities, individuals struggling with substance abuse, sex workers, people experiencing poverty or homelessness among others.
Understanding Responsibility
Sexual assault occurs when an individual deliberately imposes non-consensual sexual acts through force, coercion, manipulation, or by exploiting vulnerability. The assailant makes a conscious choice to violate another person’s autonomy, disregarding their fundamental right to consent. No circumstance, including the victim’s attire, location, or behavior, ever justifies this violation.
Victim-blaming narratives perpetuate harm and shield perpetrators from accountability. The crime stems solely from the assailant’s decision to act, not from the victim’s existence or actions. Consider these scenarios:
- An assailant who pressures a colleague into unwanted intimacy.
- A predator who exploits someone incapacitated by alcohol.
- An individual who uses threats to silence resistance.
In every case, responsibility rests entirely with the person who chooses to harm. Myths suggesting victims “provoke” assault through their clothing, whereabouts, or silence are not only baseless but dangerous. These narratives shift focus from the assailant’s actions, obstructing both justice and healing.
Creating Accountability
Holding perpetrators accountable requires dismantling harmful misconceptions. Society must reject excuses that minimize responsibility, such as claims of “misunderstanding” or “uncontrollable urges.” Sexual assault is a calculated act, and perpetrators must face consequences legally, socially, and morally. By placing blame squarely on assailants, we empower survivors to seek justice without fear of stigma or retaliation.
SRHR Alliance Uganda calls for a united stand:
- Amplify survivors’ voices
- Challenge victim-blaming attitudes
- Demand robust systems to prosecute offenders
Communities, institutions, and governments must work together to ensure assailants are held liable while survivors receive comprehensive support and protection. Awareness campaigns, legal reforms, and safe reporting mechanisms are critical steps toward achieving this goal.
The message is clear: Sexual assault is the perpetrator’s crime, not the victim’s burden. Let us commit to a future where accountability prevails, and no survivor is blamed for violence inflicted upon them. Together, we can build communities where justice speaks louder than excuses.
By Denis Tumusiime