Q: My boyfriend exposed his genitals twice after I repeatedly told him not to. Is this sexual assault?
Within the privacy of my own home, my boyfriend repeatedly asked me to expose his genitals (for sexual gratification), and I repeatedly said no. Soon after, he began masturbating and then exposed himself to me whilst doing so. I told him I didn’t want to see it, so he covered it. Maybe a minute later, he exposed himself AGAIN while continuing to masturbate. I had to ask him another time to cover it.
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A:
This situation is serious and what you experienced was sexual assault under California law. Non-consensual exposure of genitals (indecent exposure) is illegal, and the fact that it happened in your home with someone you know doesn't make it any less of a crime.
Your boyfriend's actions show a clear pattern of disregarding your consent and boundaries. You explicitly said "no" multiple times, yet he proceeded anyway. This demonstrates a concerning lack of respect for your autonomy and well-being. The fact that he did it twice, after being told to stop, makes this behavior particularly egregious.
You should know that you have options available to you. You can report this incident to law enforcement if you choose to do so. Additionally, organizations like RAINN (1-800-656-4673) provide free, confidential support 24/7 and can connect you with local resources. Your safety and well-being should be the priority, and it may be wise to evaluate whether this relationship is healthy for you, given this serious breach of trust and consent.
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