Definitions

Stalking:The exact definition of stalking varies by state, but in general, stalking refers to “a course of conduct directed at a specific person that involves repeated visual or physical proximity, nonconsensual communication, or verbal, written, or implied threats, or a combination thereof, that would cause a reasonable person fear.” 

                In English, this means:

• Repeated undesired contact (phone calls, emails, letters, show up unexpectedly, etc.).
• Following or laying in wait for the individual.
• Making threats to the individual or her/his family.
• Any other behavior used to contact, harass, track, or threaten the individual.

Cyberstalking: threatening behavior or unwanted advances directed at another using the Internet and other forms of online and computer communications. Cyberstalking can take forms such as:

• Threatening/obscene emails
• Live chat harassment or flaming (online verbal abuse)
• Harassment through texting
• Hacking and/or monitoring a victim’s computer and internet activity
• Forming a website in honor of a victim
• Can include off-line stalking/harassments such as following a victim or actual physical contact between a stalker and his/her victim

Sexual harassment: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in which submission to or rejection of such conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's work or school performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or school environment. 

Sexual abuse: Any unwanted sexual contact, including sexual touching and fondling 

Rape/sexual assault:  Forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, or oral penetration. Penetration may be by a body part or an object. 

Acquaintance assault: involves coercive sexual activities that occur against a person's will by means of force, violence, duress, or fear of bodily injury. These sexual activities are imposed upon them by someone they know (a friend, date, acquaintance, etc.).

Incest: sexual contact between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal (e.g., parents and children, uncles/aunts and nieces/nephews, etc.). This usually takes the form of an older family member sexually abusing a child or adolescent.

Consent: Consent occurs when both partners freely and willingly participate in sexual activities.  

The legal definition of rape includes any sexual contact without consent. Consent cannot be legally given in the state of Illinois if a person is:  

- Under 17  

- Mentally incapacitated  

- Drunk or high  

- Coerced  

- Forced  

Additionally, the absence of "no" does not mean "yes." So, even if a person does not fight back or explicitly say "no," they still are not necessarily giving consent. 

*Information compiled from Porchlight, RAINN, and ICASA resources