[Yamer]

Consent, context, intent, and interpretation all play a role here. The semantic justifications are really perplexing. To me, any intimate personal contact between two persons falls within the broader category of sexual contact (especially if either the victim or perpetrator interpret that way), and if there is no consent then I believe that is assault.

I think she is absolutely within her right to file a complaint, and I think an appropriate response would be a private, personal apology and reconciliation. This sort of thing has never happened to me, but even given the context (without trying to be so bold as to assume her mindset) I find it challenging to believe it was such a violation as to warrant the current reaction.

This sort of stuff was never ok, and if making a big deal out this particular incident gets people talking about stopping it then so be it.