Sexual Assault and Abuse
What are rape and sexual assault?
Rape is sex you don't agree
to, including forcing a body part or an object into your vagina, rectum
(bottom), or mouth. In the United States, 1 in 6 women reported experiencing
rape or attempted rape at some time in their lives.
Sexual assault or abuse is any type of sexual activity that a person does not
agree to, including:
- Rape or attempted rape
- Touching your body or making you touch someone
else's
- Incest or sexual contact with a child
- Someone watching or photographing
you in sexual situations
- Someone exposing his or her body to you
Sometimes,
sexual violence is committed by a stranger. Most often, though, it is committed
by someone you know, including a date or an intimate partner like a husband,
ex-husband, or boyfriend. Sexual violence is always wrong, and a person who is
sexually abused does not ever "cause" the attack.
Keep in mind that there are times when a person is not able to agree to sex,
such as if they are drunk or have been drugged with a
date rape drug, or if they
are underage.
Women who are sexually abused may suffer serious health problems, such as
sexually transmitted infections, stomach problems, and ongoing pain. They also
are at risk for emotional problems, like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic
stress disorder. If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, it is
important to get help as soon as possible.
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