It happens more than you think
An estimated 423,020 people age 12+ experience sexual violence each year in the U.S.
Every 74 seconds, someone in the US is sexually assaulted. Every 9 minutes, a child is sexually assaulted.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact performed without the consent of the victim. This includes acts that are undertaken or facilitated through physical force, psychological coercion, manipulation, deception, or if the victim is incapacitated and cannot consent. This act can be done by anyone and to anyone, regardless of the respective parties' sexual orientation, gender, or relationship status (dating, friend, stranger, or family).
So it's more than just sex?
Sexual assault is a wide range of experiences that can happen to anyone, no matter the race, gender, sexuality, religion, or age. It includes unconsensual oral, anal, or vaginal penetration (for both women and men), but can also include other kinds of unconsensual contact. These include kissing, touching of genitals above or underneath clothing, lifting or touching of clothes inappropriately (such as lifting someone's skirt), any sort of physical contact in a sexual manner like rubbing of a thigh, pressing against someone intentionally for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner, and more (please visit the "signs of abuse" page for other examples).
Is it always a stranger?
Many people believe it only occurs with strangers, but that is a common myth. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that roughly 80% of sexual assaults happen by a non-stranger, which could include friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, partners, etc. Because of this, many victims do not speak out or report the assault or believe they were not assaulted in the first place.
What is Consent?
The Oxford Language Dictionary defines consent as "permission for something to happen or agreement to do something," and while this is true, sexual consent is not as simple as that. RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence nonprofit, defines consent as "a mutual agreement to engage in sexual activity. It should always be clear, voluntary, and communicated without pressure, manipulation, or fear." Consent can be given or retracted at any time, with no explanation required from either party. This encompasses any sexual physical contact, not just penetration. Consent must be freely given without pressure, guilt, threats, or coercion by the other party and should not be assumed to be given even if there were past sexual encounters, flirtation, or clothing choices. "No" is a full sentence.
Is Consent always verbal?
NO. Consent comes in many forms, and even if a "yes" is given, other signs may show consent has been retracted. Also, a verbal "no" or other statement retracting consent is not the same as a "yes," and once said, brings a full stop to any sexual acts (including touching, kissing, and undressing). Non-verbal consent should always be taken into account before any intimate interaction. When a "yes" is given, it should be clear, enthusiastic, and coherent, and a "yes" to one thing does not mean a "yes" to all. If sexual or intimate contact is occurring and either party seems uncomfortable, stays silent when asked, physically turns away (head or body), pushes or uses force to attempt to stop, is not actively participating (a lack of resistance is NOT consent), or is avoiding physical contact, consent has been withdrawn and it must stop immediately. It does not matter if you are kissing or penetration is about to occur; a verbal or physical "no" is a full stop. Just because a party is aroused, has natural lubrication, or orgasms does not equal consent—those are involuntary bodily responses. If either party is unresponsive, intoxicated, asleep, or underage, they CANNOT give consent.
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Resources gathered from RAINN.org, UC Riverside, and NewHope.org