Glossary

Affirmative agreement

An affirmative agreement, when used in the context of consent, refers to when all partners agree and consent to a sexual act before it begins.

Anonymous

In the context of reporting, anonymous refers to having the option to report information without sharing one’s name or other identifying information.

Barrier methods

Barrier methods are different forms of thin physical barriers used between sexual partners such as external condoms, internal condoms, and dental/oral damns. When used properly, these barriers prevent direct exposure of skin and fluids that could transmit sexually transmitted infections (STIs). External and internal condoms can also prevent pregnancy.

Body language

Body language refers to non-verbal cues and physical behaviors that can be used in communication.

Boundaries

Boundaries are limits that we set for ourselves in our relationships with others, including romantic partners, family, and friends. There are many different types of boundaries including physical, emotional, digital, and sexual, as well as boundaries related to specific topics.

Cisgender

Cisgender is a term that refers to when an individual’s gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth (for example, someone assigned female at birth identifying as a woman).

Coercion

Coercion refers to using intimidation, manipulation, threats, pressure, or blackmail to initiate or continue a sexual activity against another person’s will. For Northeastern’s full definitions on coercion, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Confidential offices/confidential resources

Confidential offices and resources are places where students can discuss an incidence of sexual violence with a staff member, and that staff member will not be required to report information shared to the Office for University Equity and Compliance. At Northeastern, confidential resources include the Sexual Violence Resource Center/ the Office of Prevention and Education at Northeastern, University Health and Counseling Services, and Spiritual Advisors at the Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Service.

Consent

At Northeastern, consent is defined as a voluntary, affirmative agreement to engage in sexual activity. It requires mutually understandable and communicated words and/or actions. For Northeastern’s full definitions on consent, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Deadname

To deadname someone is to refer to an individual by their birth name without their consent when they go by a different name. Deadnaming can be a form of misgendering and can cause harm to the person being deadnamed.

Dental dam

A dental dam, also known as an oral dam, is a thin, sheet-like barrier used during oral-vaginal and oral-anal contact. When used properly, a dental/oral dam can protect against STIs and other infections transmitted during oral sex.

Domestic or dating violence

Domestic or dating Violence is the intentional infliction of physical, sexual, or psychological harm on a current or former partner or spouse. Domestic Violence includes Dating, Intimate partner, and Relationship Violence. For Northeastern’s full definitions on domestic violence, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Gender

Gender is a social construct that refers to one’s sense of being male, female, both, neither, or an other gender. Some genders have cultural norms associated with them (for example, femininity or masculinity). Gender, gender identity, and gender expression do not need to align with one’s sex assigned at birth.

Gender expression

Gender expression often refers to the outward expression of one’s gender identity through things like clothing, hairstyle, and other physical characteristics. Gender, gender identity, and gender expression do not need to align with one’s sex assigned at birth.

Gender identity

Gender identity refers to an individual’s internal sense of their gender, i.e. of being male, female, both, neither, or an other gender. Gender, gender identity, and gender expression do not need to align with one’s sex assigned at birth.

Gender non-conforming

Gender non-conforming is a term that can refer to when an individual’s gender identity and/or gender expression does not conform with gender norms associated with their sex assigned at birth.

Gender-based harassment

Gender-based harassment includes harassment based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression that has the purpose or effect of creating a hostile living, learning, or working environment. For Northeastern’s full definitions on gender-based harassment, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Hostile environment

A hostile environment exists when someone’s behavior is so severe, persistent, or pervasive, that it unreasonably interferes with or deprives an individual from participating in or benefiting from the University’s education or employment programs and/or activities. For Northeastern’s full definition of a hostile environment, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Hook up

Hook up is a term that can refer to a range of sexual activities.

Incapacitation

Incapacitation is a state in which a person can’t make a rational or reasonable decision because they lack the ability to understand the who, what, when, where, why or how of their sexual encounter. Incapacitation can be a result of alcohol, cannabis, or other drug use. For Northeastern’s full definition of incapacitation, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Incapacitated

Refers to when an individual is experiencing a state of incapacitation. For Northeastern’s full definition of incapacitation, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Initiator

An initiator is a person who proposes a sexual act. The person initiating, regardless of gender, is required to get consent from their partner(s).

Intervene

This term refers to when a person takes action directly or indirectly to diffuse or address a situation.

Misgender

The term misgender refers to when someone addresses or refers to another person in a way that does not align with or affirm that person’s gender identity. Misgendering can include not using someone’s gender pronouns or name. Misgendering is both disrespectful and can cause harm.

Mutually understandable

Mutually understandable, when used in the context of communication, means that the words and/or actions are able to be understood by all parties.

Perpetrator

Perpetrator is a term that refers to an individual who commits sexual violence.

Power dynamic

A power dynamic exists when someone feels like they have to do something because of real or perceived influence the person has over them.

Sex

The term sex refers to the assignment of people as male, female, intersex, or another sex. Sex is often assigned at birth based on physical characteristics or chromosomes.

Sexual assault

Sexual assault is any sexual act directed against another person, without that person’s consent.

Examples include:

oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by an inanimate object, penis, or other bodily part without consent of all parties involved
the touching of the intimate body parts of another—such as breasts, buttocks, groin, genitals, or the clothing covering them—without consent of all parties involved

For Northeastern’s full definitions on sexual assault, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Sexual exploitation

Sexual exploitation is when a person(s) takes non-consensual sexual advantage of another.

Examples include:
Inducing Incapacitation for the Purpose of Sexual Activity
Photographing or Video/Audio Taping of Sexual Activity without consent (includes disseminating these materials without consent)
Voyeurism

For Northeastern’s full definitions on sexual exploitation, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. For Northeastern’s full definitions on sexual harassment, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Sexual orientation

Sexual orientation refers to one’s attraction to others and can include physical, emotional, romantic, or other forms of attraction.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI)

A sexually transmitted infection is an infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact

Sober

Sober refers to a state where an individual has not consumed alcohol and/or other drugs.

Stalking

Stalking is engaging in conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:

fear for their safety or the safety of others; or
suffer substantial emotional distress.

For Northeastern’s full definitions on stalking, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.

Survivor

Survivor is a term used to refer to an individual who has experienced sexual violence. While some may like or use this label, others may say or prefer “victim,” and others may prefer no label at all. No one is obligated to name their experience in a particular way.

Transgender

Transgender is term that refers to when an individual’s gender does not align or exclusively align with their sex assigned at birth.

Voluntary

Voluntary, when used in the context of consent, means everyone should have the choice to say yes or no to sexual acts without fear of intimidation, manipulation, threats, pressure, or blackmail. Using these tactics to get someone to do something they don’t want to do is called coercion.

Voyeurism

Voyeurism is the act of intentionally observing, spying on or listening to a person(s) involved in sexual activity or in any state of undress. Voyeurism also occurs when an individual allows others to observe this behavior without the consent of all parties involved. For Northeastern’s full definitions on voyeurism and sexual exploitation, see Northeastern’s Title IX and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment policies.