Sexual assault
Sexual assault is a term from law. It's when a sexual act happens between people, but one or more of the people involved do not consent.[1][2] In most countries, this is a crime. Sexual assault is a form of sexual violence.
There are different forms of sexual assault, including:
- Rape, which is forcing someone to have sex who does not give consent. They may not want to do it, or may not be able to give consent.
- Child sexual abuse, which involves sexual acts with a child. Children are too young to give consent, so sexual acts with children are always considered sexual assault.
- Groping, which is touching people in sexual ways (usually without their consent).
- Domestic violence, which can involve sexual violence.
- Elder abuse, which involves non-consensual sexual acts with an older person.
- Sexual harassment, which is a type of harassment.
Often, cases of sexual assault are not reported by victims because of social stigma.[1] In certain countries, there are laws that will punish the victim, for example for "seducing" someone.[source?]
Statistics
[change | change source]People who are developmental disabilities are more vulnerable to being sexually abused. As many as 90-99% of people with these disabilities are sexually exploited before the age of 18.[3]
A 2010-2011 study in the United States of 1058 people aged 14 to 21 found that 8% had sexually assaulted in their lives. In 66% of cases, no one found out and the perpetrator did not get into any trouble. 50% of perpetrators said that their victim was completely to blame. 2% had raped and 3% had tried to rape.[4][needs simplifying]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Peter Cameron; George Jelinek; Anne-Maree Kelly; Anthony F. T. Brown; Mark Little (2011). Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 658. ISBN 978-0702049316. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ↑ "Sexual Assault Fact Sheet". Office on Women's Health. Department of Health & Human Services. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ↑ Muccigrosso, Lynne (1 September 1991). "Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies and Programs for persons with Developmental Disabilities". Sexuality and Disability. 9 (3): 261–271. doi:10.1007/BF01102396. S2CID 144151349 – via Springer Link.
- ↑ Mitchell, Kimberly J.; Ybarra, Michele L. (1 December 2013). "Prevalence Rates of Male and Female Sexual Violence Perpetrators in a National Sample of Adolescents". JAMA Pediatrics. 167 (12): 1125–1134. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2629. PMID 24100409 – via jamanetwork.com.
