Sexual activity with another person without their consent is always a crime.<\/p>\r\n
Sexual assault is a serious and traumatic form of sexual violence that involves any sexual act committed without a person\u2019s clear, voluntary, and ongoing consent. Rape is a form of sexual assault that involves penetration of the body using any object or body part, regardless of gender or relationship between the people involved. It is not caused by sexual attraction or desire\u2014it is a violation rooted in power, control, and entitlement. It can happen through force, intimidation, manipulation, or when a person is unable to give consent due to fear, coercion, intoxication, unconsciousness, or disability, or because they are underage. <\/p>\r\n
Anyone can be a survivor of rape, and anyone could be a perpetrator. It can happen in dating relationships, marriages, families, workplaces, schools, or between strangers. Sexual assault can be committed by a stranger, but more often, it is perpetrated by someone the survivor knows and trusts\u2014such as a partner, friend, coworker, or family member. Rape can take many forms, and each experience is valid. Some examples include:<\/p>\r\n
Acquaintance\/date rape<\/strong> \u2013 when the perpetrator is a friend, coworker, neighbor, classmate, or someone else the survivor knows socially<\/p>\r\n Marital or partner rape<\/strong> \u2013 when someone is forced or coerced into sex by a spouse or intimate partner<\/p>\r\n Drug-facilitated rape<\/strong> \u2013 when substances are used to impair someone\u2019s ability to resist or consent<\/p>\r\n Statutory rape<\/strong> \u2013 sexual activity with someone under the legal age of consent, even if they appeared to agree<\/p>\r\n Stranger rape<\/strong> \u2013 when the assault is committed by someone unknown to the victim<\/p>\r\n Corrective rape<\/strong> \u2013 a form of hate-motivated sexual violence, often targeted at LGBTQ+ individuals<\/p>\r\n All forms of rape are serious and can leave lasting physical, emotional, and psychological harm. It is a crime even if the perpetrator didn’t know what they were doing was a crime, or didn’t intend to commit a crime by their actions.<\/p>\r\n Rape is an act of power and control\u2014not passion, desire, or attraction. The decision to commit rape has nothing to do with what someone is wearing, how they look, or whether they were friendly or flirtatious. Survivors are not “chosen” because of their clothing, behavior, or sexual appeal, but rather based on their perceived availability, vulnerability, and isolation.<\/p>\r\n Most perpetrators are opportunistic. They often look for someone who appears alone, distracted, intoxicated, or emotionally distressed\u2014someone they believe will be less likely to resist or report. In many cases, the rapist knows the victim and may spend time grooming or manipulating them to gain trust before the assault. This might include:<\/p>\r\n It\u2019s important to understand: rape is never the survivor\u2019s fault.<\/strong> The blame lies 100% with the person who chose to violate someone\u2019s bodily autonomy. Clothing, location, time of day, or prior interactions do not cause rape\u2014a rapist\u2019s decision to commit a violent act does.<\/p>\r\n It’s important to remember that sexual violence can take many forms, and doesn’t always involve rape. These other forms are equally valid and should be taken seriously:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Unwanted contact:<\/strong> a form of sexual assault that includes any form of unwanted sexual touching or fondling<\/p>\r\n Harassment:<\/strong> unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other unwanted verbal or physical advances of a sexual nature<\/p>\r\n Stalking:<\/strong> a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other conduct that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear<\/p>\r\n Sex trafficking:<\/strong> a commercial sex act induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or involving a child under age 18<\/p>\r\n Indecent exposure:<\/strong> when someone shows their genitals to another person without permission, for sexual pleasure and\/or to scare or upset them. It is sometimes known as ‘flashing’.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nHow Is a Rape Victim Chosen? <\/h3>\r\n
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Other forms of sexual violence<\/h3>\r\n
Understanding Consent<\/h4>\r\n