What is Sexual Assault?

Generally, sexual violence is any unwanted, non-consensual sexual contact against any individual by another using manipulation, pressure, tricks, coercion or physical force.  It is any act a person is forced to perform or receive that includes touching of the genitals or breasts. This includes rape, sodomy, touching or oral sex where the victim is unwilling or unable to give verbal consent, including being under 17 years old, intoxicated, drugged or unconscious. 

Other terms commonly used :

• Sexual Violence
• Rape
• Date Rape
• Marital Rape
• Incest
• Sexual Abuse
• Molestation

There are generally four categories of Sexual Violence:

1. Completed act of penetration – any penetration of the vagina, anus, or other body orifice by any object

2. Attempted act of penetration

3. Abusive sexual contact – intentional touching

4. Non-contact sexual abuse – voyeurism, exhibitionism, verbal or behavioral sexual harassment, threats or sexual violence, taking or posting sexual photos