Sexual Assault and 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.

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