What is groping?

Groping can be termed “unwanted” or “inappropriate” sexual contact.

Touching or fondling another person in an unwelcome sexual way. Areas of the body most frequently groped include the buttocks, breast, vulva and thighs on a woman, and the penis, testicles and buttocks on a man.

Gropers might use their hands, but pressing any part of their body against another person can be considered groping. Specifically, groping is that hug where he brushes his hands over your breast or that smack on your buttock as you turned to leave the classroom/office. Crowded areas such as markets, buses, musical shows/concerts are common places where groping can occur. Sometimes, it can also occur in workplaces, and schools.

Often times, groping is dismissed as a mistake, sympathetic or harmless gesture. But a repeat within certain contexts becomes an invasion of personal space and can be termed sexual assault. Groping can also be tell-tale signs of a potential rape happening.

What happens if I am a victim of groping?

Groping can be difficult to deal with. Sometimes, cultural differences may account for differences in the way certain behaviors are perceived. For example, somebody could be doing something they regard as innocuous. The recipient could have a very different view. Third parties could be split down the middle because their judgement is subjective to how they would have felt in the same situation.

Whatever the context, don’t dismiss acts you consider groping/inappropriate sexual contacts, believe yourself when you think something inappropriate has happened. Take steps to ensure they do not happen again. Here are a few tips

• If you are comfortable, speak about it to the other person to establish motive and be clear about how you feel and would not want to be touched going forward. Establish rules for personal space and keep them.
• If in a crowded place, walk briskly and sharply away and make sure you are not been followed.
• If in the workplace, you may need to make a report to the Human Resources (HR) department. Most organizations have objective rules to deal with situations like this

If in a school, then make an appropriate report to an higher authority