WHAT IS SEXUAL VIOLENCE

The SATC broadly defines sexual violence as any sexual activity that is unwanted, tricked, or forced.

There are several types of sexual violence

Harassment
Unwanted, usually repeated sexually explicit statements, gestures, or physical contact.

Harassment covers a broad range of behaviors such as inappropriate comments about another person’s body, pinching or grabbing body parts, sexually explicit gesturing, sending sexually explicit messages or pictures via text or social media, leaving sexual comments on someone’s social media, and pressuring someone for sexual favors.
Exposure
A person showing their private parts to another person. Or, someone tricking, forcing, or bribing someone else into showing their private parts.

Flashing and surveillance activities are considered exposure.

In addition, activities such as forcing or tricking others into viewing pornography, taking a picture that is sexual in nature of someone without their permission or sending sexual pictures of someone without their permission are also considered exposure.
Touching
Having one’s private parts touched, being made to touch one’s own private parts, or being forced to touch another person’s private parts, over or under clothing.
Penetration
Entering another person’s body openings (vagina, mouth, anus) with a penis, finger, tongue, or object without the person’s consent. Rape is a form of penetration.

MYTH VS. FACT

Find out the facts of sexual violence

Myth

Sexual violence is rare

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men will be sexually assaulted during college)

Myth

Sexual Violence is only committed by strangers, in dark alleys or isolated places.

80-90% of assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. Over 50% of sexual assaults occur at, or near, a victim or offender’s home.)

Myth

Many victims lie about being raped or give false reports.

Only 2-8% of rapes are considered false report.)

Myth

If a person does not fight back during the assault, then they must have wanted it.

Tonic immobility, or the “freeze” response, is an autonomic physiological response to a traumatic event. A person is immobilized in order to survive the assault. This response is completely out of the person’s control.)

Myth

Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ are at a decreased risk for experiencing sexual violence.

Gay or bisexual men are 3 times more likely than heterosexual men to be a victim of rape or attempted rape. Bisexual women are also at an increased rate for experiencing rape. Around 46% of bisexual women have been raped, compared to 13% of lesbian women and 17% of heterosexual women. Approximately 50% of transgender individuals have been victims of sexual violence.)

Myth

Weapons and physical force are commonly used to commit sexual violence.

Weapons are used in less than 10% of sexual violence incidents. Most offenders use deception, threats, and intimidation.)