Gendered violence

Sexual harassment, gendered harassment, sexual assault, rape, relationship violence and coercive control are all gendered violence behaviours. Gendered violence refers to harm perpetrated against a person or group because of their sex, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.  

Gendered violence includes:  

• Asking inappropriate questions about someone’s private life or sexual experiences.  
• Commenting on someone’s appearance in a disrespectful way.  
• Using sexist language and telling sexist jokes.  
• Harassing someone because of their sexuality.  
• Blaming a person who has experienced gendered violence for their behaviour.  
• Staring or leering in a sexually suggestive way.  
• Stalking or monitoring someone online, including repeatedly contacting someone after being blocked.  
• Sharing nude or sexual images without consent.
• Unwanted physical contact or touching.   
• Pressuring, intimidating or coercing someone into sexual activity.  
• Physical violence or threatening physical violence in a relationship. 
• Sexual contact without someone’s consent, or when they are unable to consent. 
• Controlling a partner’s social interactions, finances or activities.  
• Attempting to isolate a person from their support network. 
• Withholding finances unless the person does what the other person says. 
• Acting in intimidating ways including breaking things. 
• Harm to pets.   

Learn more about relationship violence.  

While anyone can experience gendered violence, it most commonly affects women and girls. Evidence also shows that LGBTIQ+ people, people with disabilities, cultural and linguistically diverse people, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk. This is because gender inequality often overlaps with other types of inequality. 

Gender inequality creates an environment where gendered violence can occur. Gender inequality is when people of different genders do not have equal access to social status, power, resources, opportunities, or respect in society. For more information, please visit the Our Watch website, opens in a new window.