sexual misconduct
Last updatedWhat to know
There is no single official definition of sexual misconduct. Some people use it as a catchall term for any kind of problematic behavior, from sexual harassment to rape. Others use it as a synonym for misbehavior that they aren’t sure rises to the level of harassment (such as a questionable compliment or an isolated joke). While it can be helpful for talking about a wide range of behaviors, if discussing specific situations or accusations, consider what level of detail will provide necessary context without violating the privacy or well-being of those involved, and without using unnecessarily sensationalized or salacious language.
Publications sometimes use the phrase “sexual misconduct” since, unlike “sexual assault” or “sexual harassment,” it has no legal meaning — something can be described as “sexual misconduct” if it does not meet the legal standard for sexual assault, for example.
However, some advocates have criticized the term for being overly vague or minimizing. Some argue that “sexual misconduct” should only be used for low-level misbehavior. They contend that the word “misconduct” does not communicate the severity of certain crimes like rape or child molestation. In general, using a more clearly defined term like sexual assault and describing specific actions, when possible, provides essential context.
Additional resources
- What Does ‘Sexual Misconduct’ Actually Mean? (The Atlantic)
- What is sexual misconduct, exactly? Depends on who you ask (Ottawa Citizen)
Summary
There is no single official definition of sexual misconduct. While it can be helpful for talking about a wide range of behaviors, some advocates have criticized the term for being overly vague or minimizing. If discussing specific situations or accusations, consider what level of detail will provide necessary context without violating the privacy or well-being of those involved, and without using unnecessarily sensationalized or salacious language.