The term sexual violence is an all-encompassing, non-legal term that may refer to sexual assault, rape, attempted rape, unwanted sexual touching, and sexual abuse.
Albion offers a number of services for those impacted by sexual violence, including secondary survivors who are impacted by the abuse of a loved one. If you would like to learn more about these services, click here or call 812-422-9372.
Sexual violence is a non-legal term that refers to crimes like sexual assault, rape, and sexual abuse.
Sexual assault can take many different forms, but one thing remains the same: it’s never the victim’s fault.
Sexual assault is sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of an individual. Experiences of sexual assault include unwanted folding or sexual touching, forced sexual acts like oral sex, attempted rape, or rape.
Intimate partner sexual violence is rarely an isolated incident and may occur alongside other forms of abusive behavior, including emotional and psychological abuse. Abusers often start with controlling behaviors that can escalate to further emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, meaning sexual violence in a relationship is rarely an isolated incident. It is important to remember that intimate partner sexual violence is non-discriminatory and can affect a person of any gender, age, faith, or sexuality.
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse that includes any sexual activity with a minor. Child sexual abuse does not require physical contact between a perpetrator and includes any sexual conduct that is harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare. Acts of non-physical abuse may include exhibitionism; sex trafficking; producing, owning, or sharing pornographic images or movies of children; and more.
Incest is sexual contact between family members that impacts a number of people. Approximately 34% of perpetrators in cases of child sexual abuse are family members, and research shows the majority of juvenile victims know their perpetrator in some way. This can make it hard for a child to disclose their assault or abuse, and it can become increasingly difficult when it is a family member. If you suspect a child is being harmed, talk to them directly and utilize these conversation tips or call Child Protective Services, the Department of Human Services, or the police.
Rape is a form of sexual assault, but it is important to recognize not all sexual violence is rape. The term rape often legally defines sexual penetration without consent. The term rape is often utilized as a legal definition to specifically include sexual penetration without consent. For its Uniform Crime Reports, the FBI defines rape as “penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”
The legal definitions of crimes can vary from state to state and may be researched via RAINN.