Coercive Situations
Have you ever felt pressure from your date, partner, or friends to do something that you didn’t want to do? Are there times when you don’t want to have sex, but feel like you can’t say no? Have you ever had a sexual experience that left you scared, angry or feeling guilty?
These are coercive situations. Instead of using physical violence or force, a friend or partner might use persuasion to get their way. This kind of abuse may come across as non-violent, especially when the abuser is someone that you know, but it is still abuse because it is against your will.
To resist coercive behavior, you must:
- Recognize it
- Overcome the emotional pressure
- Be assertive
- Be courageous