Tw question about sexual assault

[User777778]

I’ve had my bottom slapped and also a man expose himself on a bus to me. When talking about it with a friend I said I’ve been sexually assaulted before and she instantly said no you haven’t. AIBU to think this was assault

Yes it’s sexual assault. There are many different types of sexual assault, but it’s still sexual assault.

Definitely is. Your friend is wrong

I would have thought that flashing was sexual harassment and slapping was assault. However the Met says:

The overall definition of sexual or indecent assault is an act of physical, psychological and emotional violation in the form of a sexual act, inflicted on someone without their consent. It can involve forcing or manipulating someone to witness or participate in any sexual acts.

There was quite a lot of dialogue about indecent exposure in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder. The police were taken to task about how they had a history of underplaying this and it's seriousness. It is sexual assault, and can quite often lead to men who do this going on to commit even more serious offences. So yes your friend is minimising a sexual offence.
Bum slapping also is sexual assault.