Explore

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 fits 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 empowering experience. For others it can be a negative experience.

The following are general definitions. If you think you experienced sexual violence and are looking for support click here. Please be aware these are not the legal definitions in North Carolina. For more information on legal definitions contact RISE.

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 drug facilitated.
80% of rapes are sometimes refered to as "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.

Sexual Violence is sex without consent!

Healing

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

Myths and Facts

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.

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: