What is Sexual Violence?
Sexual violence (SV) is a significant problem in the United States. SV refers to sexual activity when consent is not obtained or not given freely. Anyone can experience SV, but most victims are female. The person responsible for the violence is typically male and usually someone known to the victim.
The person can be, but is not limited to, a friend, intimate partner, coworker, neighbor, or family member.
Sexual Violence includes:
- Rape or sexual assault
- Child sexual assault and incest
- Intimate partner sexual assault
- Unwanted sexual contact/touching
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual exploitation
- Showing one’s genitals or naked body to other(s) without consent
- Masturbating in public
- Watching someone in a private act without their knowledge or permission
Sexual violence affects women, men and children throughout their lives and can be devastating for individuals, families, and communities. However, help is available. Together, we can change the conditions that contribute to sexual violence.
What is Rape?
Rape is a crime of violence and domination in which one person forces, coerces or manipulates another person to have sex. There are many types of rape that can occur, but the most common types are Date Rape and Acquaintance Rape.
- 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives; sexual assault of men is thought to be greatly underreported.
- 1 in 3 transgender and gender non-conforming people experience sexual violence.
- 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually assaulted by the time they are 18.
- In 8 out of 10 cases of rape, the victim knew the person who sexually assaulted them.
- 81% of women and 35% of men report significant short-term or long-term impacts such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
If you are a victim, you are not alone.
Sexual violence can happen to anyone, men, women, and children of all ages, races, gender, sexual identity, religion, and economic classes. Sexual assault victims often feel isolated or ashamed and often do not report an attack. It is never the victim’s fault.