What is sexual violence?

There are many ways that sexual violence occurs. This can make it confusing to sort through the different words that are used to describe it. Somtimes the term "Sexual Assault" is used. However, it is very broad and can mean anything, from forced kissing to oral, anal, or vaginal penetration. The following are definitions of some of the most common terms used when talking about sexual violence.

Please keep in mind that the definitions described here are not legal definitions. Legal definitions can be complicated and vary from state to state. If you would like a copy of the legal definitions of sexual assault you should contact your legislator or local rape crisis center.

RAPE: Sexual contact that is forced or coerced, verbally or physically. This includes oral, anal, and vaginal penetration without consent that occurs between two or more people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, and marital or relationship status. A sexual assailant may be a friend, acquaintance, date, employer, relative, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, or stranger. Depending on who the perpetrator and/or victim is, it can be called Marital Rape, Intimate Partner Rape, Male Rape, Elder Rape, Date Rape or Acquaintance Rape.

RITUALISTIC ABUSE: This is a particular form of violence that is characterized by the use of rituals in the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of it's victims. It typically involves repeated abuse over an extended period of time and often takes place within a closed group known as a cult.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCEST: Any sexual activity perpetrated against a child by a person who is older or more powerful. Often this occurs by threatening, forcing, intimidating, or manipulating the child into the sexual act. Incest refers to sexual contact between any family or household members, including parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles, step-parents, and live-in partners of parents. Incest usually occurs between an adult and a child and is the most common form of sexual assault.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION: Forcing, coercing, or tricking someone, either a child or an adult, into posing for sexually explicit photographs or movies. Other forms of exploitation include performing sexually explicit acts for the entertainment or benefit of others and forcing or coercing someone into dressing in a sexual manner for the entertainment or benefit of others.