Sexual Assault and Abuse
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Sexual Assault & Abuse
Sexual assault and abuse has become a major problem in the United States. A
woman is raped somewhere in this country every two minutes. But sexual assault can be any
type of sexual activity that you do not agree to, including inappropriate touching,
vaginal penetration, sexual intercourse, rape attempted rape, and child molestation.
Sexual assault and abuse can also can be verbal, visual, or any other form which forces a
person to participate in unwanted sexual contact or attention like voyeurism, exhibitionism, incest, forced prostitution or exposure to pornography, and sexual harassment. It
can happen in different situations, by a stranger in an isolated place, on a date, or
during intimate partner or domestic violence.
Almost half of all rapes each year are committed by a friend or an acquaintance,
and most offenders are male. Sometimes, a victim might unknowingly be given alcohol or
"date rape" drugs, which make a person unable to resist assault, and have a type
of amnesia so she is uncertain about what happened. For many victims, these violent acts
result in depression or other mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (an emotional state
of discomfort and stress associated with the memories of a disturbing event).
Violence against women by any one is always wrong, whether the abuser is someone
you date; a current or past spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend; a family member; an
acquaintance; or a stranger. You are not at fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur,
and you are not responsible for the violent behavior of someone else. If you or someone
you know has been sexually assaulted, seek help from other family members and friends or
community organizations. Reach out for support or counseling. Talk with a health care
provider, especially if you have been physically hurt. Learn how to minimize your risk of
becoming a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse before you find yourself in an
uncomfortable or threatening situation. And, learn about how to get help for sexual assault and abuse. Another
important part of getting help is knowing if you are in an abusive relationship. There are
clear signs to help you know if you are
being abused.
Publications
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Incest (Copyright © NCVC) - This publication outlines the problem of child sexual abuse and incest in America. It reveals that incest, or rape by a family member, comprises a large portion of all rapes in the United States, while it remains, the most under-reported and least discussed crime in our nation. This publication also discusses the effects that abuse can have on the victims and community as a whole.
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Myths and Facts about Sexual Violence - This fact sheet debunks common misunderstandings about rape and sexual assault. Topics discussed include victim characteristics, risk assumption, drug use, perpetrators, location of rapes and more.
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Rape: What To Do If You’re Raped (Copyright © AAFP) - This fact sheet explains what a woman should do if she has been raped. It describes the emergency room procedures for victims who go to the hospital and also contains information for support services and other resources.
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Sexual Assault is About Power, Control & Anger (Copyright © NCPC) - This publication contains information on rape, what a woman should do if she is raped, and what you can do to protect yourself and others from being assaulted.
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What You Can Do if You Are a Victim of Crime - This publication contains information on what you can do if you've been a victim of crime and lists resources to help.
Organizations
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Center For Sex Offender Management
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National Crime Prevention Council
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National Sexual Violence Resource Center
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Office for Victims of Crime
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Office on Violence Against Women, OJP, DOJ
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Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
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Survivors of Incest Anonymous
= Indicates Federal Resources
Last updated: March, 2003
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