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Home > A-Z Health Topics > Violence Against Women > Types of violence against women > Sexual assault and abuse

Sexual assault and abuse

• What are rape and sexual assault?
• Getting help for sexual assault
• Staying safe from sexual assault
• More information on sexual assault and abuse

What are rape and sexual assault?

Rape is sex you don't agree to, including forcing a body part or an object into your vagina, rectum (bottom), or mouth. In the United States, 1 in 6 women reported experiencing rape or attempted rape at some time in their lives.

Sexual assault or abuse is any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to, including:

• Rape or attempted rape
• Touching your body or making you touch someone else's
• Incest or sexual contact with a child
• Someone watching or photographing you in sexual situations
• Someone exposing his or her body to you

Sometimes, sexual violence is committed by a stranger. Most often, though, it is committed by someone you know, including a date or an intimate partner like a husband, ex-husband, or boyfriend. Sexual violence is always wrong, and a person who is sexually abused does not ever "cause" the attack.

Keep in mind that there are times when a person is not able to agree to sex, such as if they are drunk or have been drugged with a date rape drug, or if they are underage.

Women who are sexually abused may suffer serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted infections, stomach problems, and ongoing pain. They also are at risk for emotional problems, like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, it is important to get help as soon as possible.

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Getting help for sexual assault

Take steps right away if you have been assaulted:

• Get away from the attacker and find a safe place as fast as you can. Call 911.
• Call someone you trust or a hotline, such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
• Protect any evidence. Do not clean any part of your body or comb your hair. Do not change clothes. Try not to touch anything at the crime scene.
• Go to your nearest hospital emergency room right away. You need to be examined and treated for injuries you may not even know you have. Ask to be screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and for emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy. The hospital also can collect evidence like hairs, saliva, semen, or clothing fiber that the attacker may have left behind.
• Discuss filing a police report. If you're not sure whether you want to file a report, ask hospital staff if they can collect evidence without filing a report. It is best to collect evidence as soon as possible.

After a sexual assault, you may need a lot of emotional support. Every woman responds differently, but reactions can include feeling terribly shocked, confused, and afraid. Some women experience denial or feeling emotionally numb. Whatever your experience, reach out to people who care about you and get help from a mental health professional. The hospital usually can put you in touch with a counselor or support group. Even if a long time has passed since you were abused, you still can get help.

If someone you know has been abused or assaulted you can help by listening and offering comfort. If the person wants, you also can go along to the police station, the hospital, or counseling sessions. Make sure the person knows the abuse is not his or her fault, and that it is natural to feel angry and ashamed.

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Staying safe from sexual assault

Steps you can take to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted include:

• Making sure you don't drink too much alcohol, so you can keep yourself safe
• Parking in well-lit areas
• Not leaving a social event with someone you just met
• Keeping your car and home doors locked
• Having your key ready as you approach your door

Read more tips for avoiding sexual assault. One important way to stay safe at clubs and parties is to learn more about date rape drugs. These are drugs that have no smell or taste that can be slipped into drinks. They are used to make it hard for a person to fight off a rape or to remember what happened. You can read answers to frequently asked questions about date rape drugs.

Another important way to avoid sexual abuse is to leave a relationship that is becoming unhealthy. Remember, no one has a right to pressure you into doing sexual things you do not want to do. If you think your relationship may be abusive, learn more about the signs of abuse.

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More information on sexual assault and abuse

Read more from womenshealth.gov

• Sexual Assault Fact Sheet — This fact sheet explains sexual assault and gives information on what to do if you've been sexually assaulted, where you can go for help, how you can protect yourself, and how you can help someone who has been sexually assaulted.
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/sexual-assault.cfm

Explore other publications and websites

• Acquaintance and Date Rape (Copyright © American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) — Most survivors of sexual assault know their attacker. This fact sheet explains acquaintance rape and how to get help afterward.
  http://www.acog.org/departments/adolescentHealthCare/TeenCareToolKit/AcquaintDateRape.pdf
• If Someone is Pressuring You (Copyright © Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) — This website has tips for how to get out of an uncomfortable or scary situation.
  http://www.rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-prevention/avoiding-pressure
• Incest (Copyright © National Center for Victims of Crime) — A large portion of rapes in the United States are committed by a family member. This publication outlines the problem of incest and discusses the effects that abuse can have on the survivor and the community as a whole.
  http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32360
• Rape (Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians) — This publication talks about what to expect in the emergency room if you have been raped.
  http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/safety/crisis/314.html
• Sexual Assault (Copyright © The National Center for Victims of Crime) — This website has information on the effects of sexual assault, HIV/AIDS concerns for sexual assault survivors, and information on how to help a sexual assault survivor.
  http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32369
• Sexual Assault Against Females — This publication explains what sexual assault is, how often it happens, how a woman may feel after a sexual assault, and where to go for help.
  http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/sexual-assault-females.asp
• State Sexual Assault Coalitions — This publication offers a list of addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers of coalitions across the country that help with sexual assault.
  http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/statedomestic.htm
• The Facts on Sexual Violence (Copyright © Violence Against Women Online Resources) — This website gives information on sexual violence. Topics include violence among specific populations, definitions, effects, and legal protections.
  http://www.vaw.umn.edu/documents/inbriefs/sexualviolence/sexualviolence.html
• Types of Sexual Assault (Copyright © Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) — This website defines types of rape and sexual assault, as well as other kinds of violence that often arise together with sexual assault.
  http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault
• Understanding Sexual Violence — This fact sheet discusses the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence, risk factors, and consequences. It also provides some strategies to help prevent sexual violence.
  http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/SV_factsheet-a.pdf
• Was I Raped? (Copyright © RAINN) — This website has questions to ask yourself if you are wondering if you were raped.
  http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/was-it-rape

Connect with other organizations

• Center For Sex Offender Management
  http://www.csom.org
• Enditnow.gov
  http://www.enditnow.gov/sa/flash.html
• Know More. Say More.
  http://www.knowmoresaymore.org
• National Center for Victims of Crime
  http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=dash_Home
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
  http://www.nsvrc.org/
• Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice
  http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/
• Office on Violence Against Women, DOJ
  http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/
• Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
  http://www.rainn.org/

Content last updated May 18, 2011.

Resources last updated May 18, 2011.

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