What is Stealthing, exactly?
You and your partner agreed to use a condom. The person who agreed to wear the condom doesn’t put it on, removes it, or damages it without the other person knowing or consenting.
That’s STEALTHING.
Stealthing is serious.
STEALTHING can put you or your partner at risk of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or pregnancy.
It can also lead to anxiety and trauma for the person who feels tricked or coerced.
If you didn’t say OK, it’s not OK.
Consenting and asking for consent are all about setting your personal boundaries and respecting your partner’s boundaries.
Whether it’s holding hands, kissing, touching, or sex, it’s vital for all partners in a relationship to feel comfortable with what’s happening every time it happens.
Whenever there is not consent, it is sexual assault. Stealthing is assault.
If you think stealthing happened to you, you are not alone.
What happened is not your fault.
Consider taking emergency contraception (within 3 to 5 days) to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Talk with someone you trust.
Contact the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO)
Helpline: (866) 862-7286
Text: (614) 333-1907
Email: bravo@equitashealth.com
Connect with a survivor outreach or survivor advocacy program on your college campus.
Ohio University
Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Program
The Ohio State University
OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO)
The University of Akron
Sexual Assault and Violence Education (SAVE) Team
The University of Toledo
University Counseling Center Empowering HOPE Services
University of Cincinnati
Women Helping Women
University of Dayton
Peers Advocating for Violence Education
Find a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) in your area.
In Ohio, call (844) 644-6435 or visit Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence .
STEALTHING
is a crime in some states.
In 2021, California was the first state to make stealthing a crime. The state’s law makes it a civil offense and allows a person to sue for damages and relief.
Like California, a person can file a lawsuit in civil court for damages.
As of July 1, 2024, Washington became the third state to allow punishment for stealthing. The law allows anyone who was the victim of stealthing to bring a civil case against the perpetrator. Those found guilty of stealthing could face up to a $5,000 penalty per violation.
The U.S. House of Representatives introduced H.R. 7920 – Stealthing Act of 2022 – on May 31, 2022. The federal bill would make stealthing a civil crime. People who knowingly remove a condom or other barrier could be fined. The bill is in review.
At least three other states – Texas, Utah, and Vermont – are considering anti-stealthing legislation.