What is the Difference Between Sexually Assaulted and Rape?

Sexual assault and rape are upsetting to the victim and can result in a range of emotional, physical, and mental issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or despair. Make sure to report any assaults with as much information as possible. If you have been raped or assaulted, get medical help right away. Doctors will examine you for STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), pregnancy, and other issues. Victims should seek counseling to help them cope with the trauma of the event.

All sexual activity to that which you have not yet given freely your consent is considered sexual assault. This includes any sex actions you have performed or attempted against your will. It can sometimes include a victim that is unable to consent. Assaultive sexual contact is included. It can occur to anyone, including men, women, and children.

The perpetrator could be anyone. A current or past partner, a family member, a person in a position of authority or trust, a friend, or even a stranger.

Sexual assault can have a variety of consequences on your health. It has the potential to cause long-term physical and emotional issues. If you or anybody you know has been assaulted, it is critical that you get treatment. Get to a safe location first. Then call the local emergency number or visit the nearest hospital for urgent attention. To deal with these feelings, you might wish to seek counseling. The most crucial thing to remember is that you are not to blame for the assault.

What constitutes sexual assault?

The following are examples of sexual assault:

• Any sexual contact with a person who is unable to consent, such as someone who is under the age of consent (as defined by state laws), has an intellectual handicap, is passed out (due to drugs or alcohol), or is unable to reply (such as from sleeping)
• Any sexual interaction with someone who has not given their consent
• Rape
• Rape attempt
• Coercion of a sexual nature
• Sexual interaction with a youngster is prohibited.
• Unwanted touching above or beneath the garments is referred to as fondling.

Sexual assault can take many forms, including verbal, visual, and non-contact. It is defined as anything that pushes a person to participate in unwanted sexual behaviors or receives unwelcome attention. Other possibilities include:

• Peeping is a form of voyeurism (when someone watches private sexual acts without consent) Self-promotion (when someone exposes himself or herself in public)
• Harassment or threats of sexual harassment
• Forcing someone to pose for pornographic photos is a bad idea.
• Unwanted text messages, sometimes known as “sexts,” are sent to someone (texting sexual photos or messages)

What Exactly Is Rape?

Rape is defined as a sexual attack in which someone penetrates your vaginal, anus, or mouth without your consent. It can happen to anyone, and it is not your fault if you have been raped, regardless of whether you were sober, knew your attacker, had previously freely had intercourse with them, the clothes you were wearing, or anything else.

What exactly is consent?

Consent is defined as a voluntary, enthusiastic, and unambiguous agreement between participants to engage in a certain sexual act. Period. There is no place for differing perspectives on what constitutes consent. People who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are unable to consent.

Sexual assault occurs when all individuals do not express unambiguous, voluntary, coherent, and continuous consent. When it comes to permission, there is no room for ambiguity or assumptions, and there are no exceptions for persons who have previously hooked up.

Rape is non-consensual sex

Consent is defined as:

Clear

Consent is unequivocal and unmistakable.

Is your partner having a good time when it comes to sexual activity? Have they verbally consented to each sexual activity? Then you have unambiguous consent. Silence does not imply agreement. You should never assume you have consented; instead, you should inquire.

Ongoing

At every step of a sexual experience, you should obtain permission for every activity. It is also worth noting that consent can be revoked at any time, people do change their views after all.

Coherent

Every person who engages in sexual behavior must be able to give their consent. Someone is unable of giving permission if they are too intoxicated or debilitated by alcohol or drugs, or if they are not aware or completely conscious. It is not drunk sex if you fail to perceive that the other person is too impaired to consent. It is a case of sexual assault.

Voluntary

Consent should be freely granted and gladly provided. Coercion is when someone is repeatedly asked to engage in a sexual act until they finally say yes.

Everyone, including those in a committed relationship or married, must provide their consent. No one is obligated to do anything they do not want to do and being in a relationship does not imply that a person must engage in any form of sexual behavior.

Any type of sexual behavior without consent, including touching, fondling, kissing, and intercourse, is considered a form of sexual assault and may be prosecuted.

What should you do if you are a victim of sexual assault?

Dial the emergency number if you are in danger or require medical assistance. Get as far away from the person who assaulted you as possible and to a safe location as soon as possible. You can reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline to speak with a sexual assault service provider in your area who will point you in the right direction.

What should you do if you are raped?

Get to a secure location. After a rape, the most vital thing is your safety.

Your body should not be washed or cleaned. You may wash away critical evidence if you shower, bathe, or wash after an assault. Any part of your body, including your teeth, should not be brushed, combed, or cleaned. If at all possible, avoid changing your clothes. At the scene of the assault, do not touch or change anything. That way, the guy who assaulted you will have physical evidence to hand over to the local police officers.

Obtain medical attention. Go to an emergency room at your nearby hospital. You should be evaluated and treated for any injuries you may have. A doctor or nurse may prescribe antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treat HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as emergency contraception to avoid pregnancy.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can assist you in locating a hospital with staff members who are trained to gather sexual assault evidence. A sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) or a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) should be requested. A doctor or nurse will use a rape kit to collect evidence. Fibers, hairs, saliva, sperm, or clothing left behind by the perpetrator could all be culprits. While you are in the hospital, you do not have to decide whether or not to press charges. It is not necessary to file charges in order to obtain evidence from a rape kit.

If you believe you have been drugged, ask the hospital personnel about a test for date rape medications like Rohypnol and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid). Drugs used in date rape move fast through the body and may not be detectable by the time you are tested.

Make a request for assistance. The medical staff can help you find a rape crisis center in your area. Staff can assist you in making decisions about whether or not to report the sexual assault and how to get help through therapy and support groups. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to contact a crisis center or hotline on your behalf. Volunteers and other experts (such as mental health specialists) are trained to assist you in finding support and resources near you at crisis centers and hotlines. You can call the Department of Defense Safe if you are a member of the military.

Police should be notified of the sexual assault. If you want to report the attack to the police, hospital staff can assist you in making contact with the appropriate authorities. If you are in urgent danger. If you want to report a past sexual assault, call your local police department’s non-emergency hotline or go to the police station in person.

Speak with someone about filing a police report about the assault. You can call the National Sexual Incident Hotline to speak with someone about reporting the assault first. An advocate or counselor can assist you in reporting the crime. These calls may appear on your phone bill, even if they are free. Try calling from a friend’s phone or a public phone if you think the person who sexually attacked you would examine your phone bill.

If the person who assaulted you was a stranger, write down as many details about the person and what happened as you can remember. This will assist you in making a clear statement about the sexual assault to the police and medical providers. They will be better equipped to assist you and find the person who assaulted you if you provide them with accurate information.