What is Sexual Violence?
Sexual violence is any sexual contact forced upon a person without his or her consent. It does not have
to involve physical force. It may involve a threat of force, coercion or sexual blackmail. Sexual violence
can include the following crimes: Rape, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Indecent exposure,
Fondling, Sodomy, Child molestation, and Adults molested as children.
Who's Most at Risk?
Sexual violence can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. It is not a crime of passion; it is a crime
of power and control. The reality is that anyone can be assaulted regardless of race, gender, sexual
orientation, physical ability, age or social and economic levels. The one common bond they all share is
that they did not ask to become a victim of violence.
Who are the Perpetrators?
Despite common stereotypes of a stranger jumping out of the bushes to attack his/her victim, the
offender is most likely to be someone the survivor knows. He or she may be a family member, a friend,
a lover, or an acquaintance.
