Groping

Groping is intentionally touching someone else sexually, sometimes without that person's consent. Generally, the term has a negative connotation. In some countries, certain forms of groping count as sexual assault. Most countries consider it unacceptable behaviour.

«Monsieur le commissaire»; Images galantes et esprit de l'etranger (“Gallant images and spirit of the foreigner“) (1905)

A man makes an unwanted sexual advance on a woman

A sign outside of a bicycle parking lot in Chiba, Japan, warns "Beware of groping".

Note that if the other person wants to be touched, for example for a massage, or other sexual activity, this is not groping. A doctor touching the body as part of a medical examination is also not groping. Areas of the body most frequently groped include the buttocks, breasts, 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.

The practice that customs officials touch other people in a search, for example at airports, is controversial. Usually, there are rules of how a person is to be searched. Very often, people are searched by officials of the same sex.

Groping is often shown in pornographic movies.