WHAT IS Sexual Assault?
Sexual Assault’ is any type of sexual conduct or contact that is non-consensual, forced or coerced, or when the victim is incapable of giving consent because of her/his temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity or because of her/his youth.
Sexual assault takes many forms including attacks such as rape or attempted rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or threats. Usually, a sexual assault occurs when someone touches any part of another person's body in a sexual way, even on top of clothes, without that person's consent. Some types of sexual acts which fall under the category of sexual assault include forced sexual intercourse (rape), sodomy (oral or anal sexual acts), child molestation, incest, fondling and attempted rape. Sexual assault in any form is often a devastating crime. Assailants can be strangers, acquaintances, friends, or family members. Assailants commit sexual assault by way of violence, threats, coercion, manipulation, pressure or tricks. Whatever the circumstances, no one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted.
Anyone can be a victim.
When we talk about sexual abuse, we often talk about childhood sexual abuse. This is a form of child abuse, and it is a crime. Children can never consent to sexual activity, especially with an adult or authority figure.
Parents might recognize some of the warning signs of childhood sexual abuse before their child discloses anything about the problem. RAINN provides a list of indicators of sexual abuse.
Sexual assault takes many forms including attacks such as rape or attempted rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or threats. Usually, a sexual assault occurs when someone touches any part of another person's body in a sexual way, even on top of clothes, without that person's consent. Some types of sexual acts which fall under the category of sexual assault include forced sexual intercourse (rape), sodomy (oral or anal sexual acts), child molestation, incest, fondling and attempted rape. Sexual assault in any form is often a devastating crime. Assailants can be strangers, acquaintances, friends, or family members. Assailants commit sexual assault by way of violence, threats, coercion, manipulation, pressure or tricks. Whatever the circumstances, no one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted.
Anyone can be a victim.
When we talk about sexual abuse, we often talk about childhood sexual abuse. This is a form of child abuse, and it is a crime. Children can never consent to sexual activity, especially with an adult or authority figure.
Parents might recognize some of the warning signs of childhood sexual abuse before their child discloses anything about the problem. RAINN provides a list of indicators of sexual abuse.
- Physical signs might include one or more of the following:
- Difficulty walking or sitting.
- Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes
- Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area.
- Pain, itching, or burning in genital area.
- Frequent urinary or yeast infections
- Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact.
- Exhibits signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Expresses suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescents
- Self-harms
- Develops phobias.
- Has trouble in school, such as absences or drops in grades.
- Changes in hygiene, such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively.
- Returns to regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking.
- Runs away from home or school.
- Overly protective and concerned for siblings or assumes a caretaker role.
- Nightmares or bed-wetting
- Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviors
