Sexual Abuse

Sexual Assault - What is it?

Sexual assault consists of any unwanted sexual contact as defined in ORS 163.305, which includes contact resulting from physical force or a threat of force that places a person in fear of immediate or future death or physical injury to self or another person.

Common terms associated with sexual assault are:

Rape

Date rape

Sodomy

Sex Abuse

Sexual assault may involve:

Fondling

Contact between the mouth and either the victim's or the abuser's private parts

Sex Abuse

Who commits sexual assault?

Some perpetrators of sexual assault (those who commit the crime) are strangers. However, most victims are sexually assaulted by someone they know.

Family

Friends

Romantic partners

Acquaintenances

Important facts about sexual assault

Some important facts for victims to understand about sexual assault are that:

Sexual assault is a violent crime
The perpetrator is responsible
Rape can occur between intimate partners (for example, married people, people in romantic relationships).

Victim responses

Victims may react to sexual assault in different ways. They may not tell anyone and they may blame themselves.

Victims often feel shock, numbness, lack of control, helplessness or vulnerability. They may be filled with fear and anxiety and may not want to be around friends or family. Some describe being unable to concentrate, changes in eating patterns, nightmares, flashbacks. Some may not experience any of these things. THERE IS NO "TYPICAL" REACTION TO SEXUAL ASSAULT.