Stealthing is secretly removing a condom during sex without the partner’s consent, which is a form of sexual assault.
Stealthing is the nonconsensual removal of a condom during sex after a partner has agreed only to protected sex. Because consent was given specifically for protected sex, removing the condom in secret violates that consent.
It happens when one person takes off or intentionally damages a condom without telling the other, exposing them to pregnancy and infection risks they never agreed to accept. The harm is both physical and a violation of trust.
This is not a harmless dating quirk or a gray area; it is a serious violation, and some jurisdictions treat it as a crime or as grounds for a civil claim. It can cause lasting emotional damage on top of the physical risks involved.
Consent always covers the specific act that was agreed to, including the use of protection. If this happens to you, know that it was not your fault, and consider seeking medical care and support from people you trust.