You are a victim of sexual assaults

For example, if you face sexually suggestive and unpleasant comments at work or in your circle of acquaintances, this is not regarded as a sexual offence according to court rulings.

However, comments of this type may already constitute an insult, which may be punished.

Even if the sexual harassment does not yet constitute a criminal offence, you may seek advice. You can find specialized facilities under the keyword "Sexual Violence" in the List of Support Facilities.

Mistreatment, sexual abuse

If adults or adolescents touch children (including adolescents not yet eighteen years of age) at body parts where they don't want to be touched and which are unpleasant for them, e.g. at their bottom or between their legs, this may constitute the criminal offence of sexual abuse and the criminal offence of sexual misuse of a position of trust. Sexual activities also include activities where adults or adolescents touch themselves in front of children or force children to touch them. This may happen, for example, within the family and in the neighbourhood, but also in schools, day care centres and sports clubs. If you or your child have been a victim of activities of this type, you should confide in someone and seek advice and protection. You should also make a report to the police in order to terminate the abuse.

However, not only children may be victims of sexual abuse. If you were not able to resist physically or because of a mental illness or disability, this may constitute the criminal offence of abuse of persons incapable of resistance. These cases occur particularly in hospitals, nursing homes, establishments for persons needing help but also in prisons.

Sexual abuse is a criminal offence and may already be punished if the perpetrator has only attempted to engage in sexual activity with you or in front of you.

For advice and assistance, refer to the List of Support Facilities under the keywords "Sexual Abuse" or "Sexual Violence" or to the keyword "Sexual Offences" in the lists of criminal offences.

If you were coerced by force, by threat of imminent danger to life or limb or by exploiting a situation in which you were unprotected and at the mercy of the offender, to suffer sexual acts by the offender against your will, this offence may be punished as a criminal offence of sexual assault by use of force or threats. For advice and assistance, refer to the List of Support Facilities under the keywords "Sexual Abuse" or "Sexual Violence" or to the keyword "Sexual Offences" in the lists of criminal offences.

If the accused has penetrated your body with a part of his / her body or an item during the sexual coercion, this sexual act may be punished as the most serious sexual criminal offence, i.e. as rape.

This also applies if the accused has only attempted to engage in sexual activity with you.

For advice and assistance, refer to the List of Support Facilities under the keywords "Sexual Abuse" or "Sexual Violence" or to the keyword "Sexual Offences" in lists of criminal offences.

If you are or were exploited in connection with sexual coercion or rape, this may also constitute the criminal offence of human trafficking.