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Something to keep in mind before reading these is that every person's experience is different. If you have experience which makes you feel uncomfortable but you do not feel it aligns with any of these definitions it does not make your experience any less real or less important. For some people, finding a definition which they feel fits their experience can be an incredibly empowering experience. For others it can be an incredibly negative experience. These definitions are incredibly general. If you think you may have experience sexual violence and are looking for support click here. Please be aware these are not the legal deffinitions in North Carolina. For more information on legal definitions contact a RISE Advocate. Remember that any of these things can happen to anyone regardles of age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, relationship status, prior relationship status, aquaintance, or relation.

Rape

Forced sexual intercourse which may include vaginal, anal, and/or oral penetration by any body part or object.
Force may refer to physical force, physical, mental, or emotional threats, coercion, the use of weapons, or be drug facilitated.
80% of rapes are aquaintance rapes, meaning the person knows the person who has raped them.

Sexual Assault

Any forced sexual contact including, but not limited to rape, sexual touching and/or fondling.
Force may refer to physical force, physical, mental, or emotional threats, coercion, the use of weapons, or be drug facilitated.

Sexual Abuse

Any unwanted sexual contact including, but not limited to vaginal, anal, and/or oral penetration with any body part or object, sexual touching, and/or fondling.

Childhood Sexual Abuse

Any sexual contact by force, trickery, or bribary where there is an imbalance in age, power, size, or knowledge.
Force may refer to physical force, physical, mental, or emotional threats, coercion, the use of weapons, or be drug facilitated.
Abuse may include physical contact, phone calls, exhibition, masturbation, fondling, incest, protitution, pornography, or any thing which harms the child's welfare and/or health.

In order for any sexual contact to occur there must be consent!

Healing

Everyone goes through the healing process differently. For more information on the effects of sexual violence and the healing process click here.

Mythbusters

Myth: Rape is an impulsive, uncontrollable act of sexual gratification.

Fact: Rape is an act of premeditated violence, not of spontaneous passion.

Myth: Rape is sometimes caused by the way a person acts or dresses.

Fact: Rape is a crime of power, not sex. It is never the victim’s fault.

Myth: Rape is just a women’s issue.

Fact: Rape is a human issue, affecting all people.

Myth: Rape is always perpetrated by men against women.

Fact: While 90% of rapes are heterosexual and male-perpetrated, men and women can be raped by a perpetrator of any sex or gender.

Important Resources

If you think you or someone you know has experienced a form of sexual violence (or that you just want more information), please see the following for further information on resources and support services: