I was pressured into something I didn’t want.

He asked me once — I said no. He asked me again — I avoided the question. He asked me in person — I said no. And then, after enough pushing, I gave in. Not because I wanted to. Not because I changed my mind. But because I was tired. Confused. I felt cornered. And I thought, “Maybe if I just go along with it, he’ll stop asking.”

He got what he wanted — and then he cut me off. No communication. No accountability.

Unfortunately, my experience is not isolated. Across New Jersey, many individuals face similar forms of sexual coercion, pressured into situations they never wanted, yet they have no legal recourse due to the state's current legal definitions.

The legal system as it stands fails survivors of sexual manipulation and coercion. New Jersey laws need urgent reform to acknowledge sexual coercion without physical force as a legitimate reason for criminal charges. This reform is not just necessary — it is imperative.

Laws in New Jersey do not adequately protect survivors from an insidious form of sexual assault where physical force might not be present, but the emotional and psychological pressure is overwhelming. It's time for lawmakers to address this glaring gap in our judicial system.

Statistics reveal that cases of sexual coercion are alarmingly common, affecting countless lives, often leading to long-term psychological trauma for survivors who feel they have no voice.

Amending these laws will not only bring justice to those who have been wronged, but it will also act as a deterrent against future coercive behaviors. By explicitly recognizing sexual coercion in the legal framework, New Jersey can lead the way in providing comprehensive justice for all survivors of sexual violence.

We implore New Jersey lawmakers to be pioneers in safeguarding their constituents, offering them the protection and justice they desperately need and deserve.

Sign this petition and demand immediate legal reform to recognize and criminalize sexual coercion in New Jersey.