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Someone touched me without my consent

Unwanted sexual touching is not your fault. Your safest next step may be distance, medical care, trusted support, documentation, a workplace or campus complaint, or a police report—you do not have to do everything at once.

On this page

What this situation can include

  • This can include groping, kissing, rubbing, pinning down, touching breasts, buttocks or genitals, making you touch another person, or sexualised contact disguised as a joke, examination, massage, ritual or help.
  • Consent must be voluntary and specific. Silence, freezing, fear, intoxication, dependence, accepting a lift or gift, a past relationship, or having agreed to a different act does not automatically mean consent to this touch.
  • A necessary medical or personal-care touch should be explained, limited to what is needed and handled with dignity. A professional or caregiving role does not excuse unnecessary sexual contact.

What this may mean

The law does not use one single label for every unwanted touch. Police, a lawyer or a court may consider the nature of the contact, sexual intent, words or threats, use of force, restraint, the survivor's age, and whether other conduct such as stalking or assault occurred.

If the person affected is under 18, the POCSO Act applies to sexual offences against children and creates child-protective reporting and procedure duties. Do not ask a child to investigate or repeatedly retell what happened.

A legal classification is not required before seeking safety or support. Conduct can be harmful and unacceptable even where the available facts do not establish a particular offence.

If safety may be urgent

  • Move to a place with people you trust if that is safer. Call 112 for immediate danger or urgent police, fire or medical help.
  • If you are hurt, drugged, bleeding, in pain, worried about pregnancy or infection, or cannot remember parts of what happened, seek medical care. You can seek care even if you have washed or do not yet want to make a police complaint.
  • If the person has authority over your job, education, housing or family, avoid confronting them alone. Ask someone safe to accompany you or help arrange a different route, room, shift or contact person.

Possible next steps

  1. Write down what you remember

    When safe, record the date, place, sequence, words used, injuries, witnesses and what happened afterwards. Preserve relevant messages, CCTV requests, travel records or clothing without making your safety depend on collecting perfect evidence.

  2. Choose one trusted support person

    Tell someone who will listen without taking over. They can accompany you to healthcare, an Internal Committee, student-support office, One Stop Centre, lawyer or police station.

  3. Consider the route that fits the setting

    A police complaint may be appropriate where an offence may have occurred. At work, the Internal Committee or Local Committee may be relevant. A One Stop Centre or legal-services authority can help explain options.

    Consider the riskAn adult survivor can get information and support before choosing a route. A child disclosure involves separate mandatory-reporting duties.

What may happen after seeking help or reporting

  • Police may record information, assess the alleged offences, arrange a medical examination where relevant and investigate. Reporting does not guarantee arrest, charge or conviction, and procedure can take time.
  • A workplace committee may receive a written complaint, consider interim measures and conduct an inquiry under the applicable process. This route is separate from a criminal investigation.
  • Support services may help with healthcare, counselling, legal aid, temporary shelter or coordination without deciding the case themselves.

Important limits and cautions

  • The statutory definitions of sexual offences are specific and some are gendered. This page cannot determine which offence applies to an individual event.
  • Evidence can help but a survivor's account is evidence; lack of injury, delayed disclosure, freezing or continued contact does not by itself show consent.
  • Do not publish names, images or identifying details of a child. Protect the survivor's privacy and get case-specific legal advice before public allegations.

Words a supporter can use

If someone tells you they were touched without consent

“I believe you. This was not your fault. Are you safe from that person right now? I can stay with you and help you look at medical, workplace, campus or reporting options. You can choose the next step; I will not confront them or share this without discussing safety with you.”

What institutions must do

Receive information lawfully and protect dignity

  • Record and act on information according to the BNSS, including the special recording arrangements that apply to specified offences against women.
  • Explain procedure without blaming the complainant and protect legally restricted identity information.

Prevent retaliation and provide the proper complaint route

  • Maintain a functioning Internal Committee where the law requires one and display accessible complaint information.
  • Consider lawful interim safety measures without treating them as punishment of the complainant.

Provide respectful, consent-based care

  • Address urgent health needs, explain each examination step and avoid moral judgement or unnecessary repetition.

Related issue guides

Consent, sexual violence and reproductive coercionWorkplace sexual harassment and retaliationSafety and equality in schools, colleges and hostels

Sources and publication record

Reviewed and approved by the project team · Sources checked . Reviewed and approved by the project team against the official sources listed on this page. This is general information, not advice for an individual case.

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