WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?

Sexual Harassment vs. Sexual Assault

Sexual Harassment (unwanted sexual discrimination) includes:

• making sexual jokes/comments

• spreading false sexual rumors

• catcalling/wolf-whistling

• requesting for sexual favors

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Sexual Assault includes:

• rape

• non-consensual sexual touching

• forced kissing

Consent

Consent: giving permission to someone to do something. It can be easily explained with the acronym:

Freely Given: Consent should not be coerced! Both parties should use their own judgment when providing consent.

Reversible: Consent should be able to be withdrawn at any point in time without either party feeling at risk.

Informed: Consent is only valid when both parties know exactly what they’re consenting to. 

Enthusiastic: Consent should be given wholeheartedly, if either party is unsure or doesn’t seem to want to give consent it’s better to step back and discuss how you both feel about the situation.

Specific: Consent given for an activity does not mean that consent is automatically given for the same activity in the future. Neither party is obligated to consent to something just because they’ve done it in the past.

Statistics

An American is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds.

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Only 5 out of every 1000 perpetrators end up in prison

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Of victims under the age of 18:​

Every 9 minutes, a child is a victim of sexual assault.

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Majority of these children (66%)are between ages 12 and 17.

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36% of the victims of sexual assault and rape are under 12.

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(https://www.rainn.org/statistics)

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What to Do/Not to Do to a Victim/Survivor

What to Do:

• Say:

  • I believe in you

  • It’s not your fault

  • You are not alone

  • I’m sorry this happened

• Avoid judgment

• Believe them

What Not to Do:

• Victim blame

• Take the perpetrator’s side

• Ask about what the person was wearing

Resources/How to Help

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 
available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673

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National Street Harassment Hotline: 
available 24/7 at 855.897.5910

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National Sexual Violence Resource Center: 
https://www.nsvrc.org/

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Victim Connect Resource Center: 

https://victimconnect.org/resources/national-hotlines/

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