Sexual Assault and Dating Abuse

Many instances of sexual assault and abuse go unreported because often people are unclear as to what constitutes sexual assault or abuse or don’t want to be seen as changing their mind after the act has already been committed.

Not all sexual assaults are violent attacks and forcing or pressuring someone into doing something they don’t want to do qualifies as sexual assault under the law.

First, some facts:

• 58% of rape victims report being raped between ages of 12-24
• Half of the reported date rapes occur among teenagers

Some examples

• Unwanted kissing or touching
• Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity
• Rape or attempted rape
• Keeping someone from protecting themselves from unwanted pregnancies or STIs
• Sexual contact with someone who is very drunk, drugged, unconscious or unable to give a clear and informed yes or no
• Threatening or pressuring someone into sexual activity

Working through the myths – did you know?

• Most victims of sexual assault know the assaulter – in fact, sexual abuse involving strangers is rare
• Men and women are victims of sexual assault
• Men and women are perpetrators of sexual assault
• Sexual assault can and does occur in same-sex and opposite-sex relationships
• Sexual assault can occur between two people who are dating or have hooked up (consensually) in the past

Need help NOW? Make the call.

Sources: http://www.abanet.org/unmet/teendating/facts.pdf, Break the Cycle