Sexual Assault: What Is It? How to Empower Recovery for Survivors

Despite growing awareness, sexual assault is not going away. In fact, every 98 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted, reports RAINN, a leading support provider for sexual assault survivors. Most incidents of rape or sexual assault — 69% — happen to people between ages 12 and 35.  Each of us can learn something and do something safely to make a huge difference to reduce risk, prevent trauma, and help more people heal. Victims include men, women and children. Assaults are most often carried out by someone they know. Sexual assault is most prevalent among younger women: 9 in 10 victims of rape are female(1) Most sexual assaults — 69% — involve victims between ages 12 and 35(1) 82% of all juvenile victims of sexual violence are female(1) Nearly 2 in every 3 college students (male and female) experience sexual harassment (2) 7 in 10 of rapes are committed by a person known to the victim (3) What Is Sexual Assault? Sexual assault consists of any unwanted sexual touch. While it includes rape and groping, any “sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent” is sexual assault, says RAINN (The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network). The degree of violence does not matter. Rape and drug-facilitated sexual assault are two of the most recognizable forms. But assault can also happen when someone rubs up against your body without your consent. It can happen with the uninvited touching or holding that violates your perso...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Abuse Domestic Violence PTSD Stigma Students Trauma Violence & Aggression Women's Issues Source Type: news