What term describes pressure to engage in an act?

• A. Grooming
• B. Coercion
• C. Quid Pro Quo
• D. Sexual harassment

Answer: (B)

Coercion is the pressure to engage in an act, using threats, intimidation, or leverage to push someone into doing something they wouldn’t freely choose. In sexual contexts, it means pressuring someone to have sex or participate in an act through fear of consequences, manipulation, or control over their situation. Because true consent requires that a person can decide freely, without pressure or threats, coercive tactics invalidate consent.

This differs from grooming, which is about gradually building trust and secrecy to exploit someone over time, often before any act occurs. It also differs from quid pro quo, which is a specific scenario where an authority figure offers a reward or threatens a punishment in exchange for a sexual act. While quid pro quo can involve coercive elements, the broader term that describes the general act of pressuring someone is coercion.