Sexual assault

Sexual assault is a term from law. It means that two people have a sexual relation, but that one of the two does not want this. In most countries, this is a crime. There are different forms of sexual assault, including:

• Rape is forcing someone to have sex who does not want to, or who is unable to consent.
• Domestic violence can include a sexual element
• Child sexual abuse- this includes abusing people who cannot consent
• Elder abuse
• Groping - touching people in ways they don't want.

Sexual aggression, engraving by Martin van Maele, of 1905

Very often, cases of sexual assault are not reported, because there is a stigma associated with it. In certain countries, there are laws that will punish the victim, for example for "seducing" someone.

Statistics

As many as 90-99% of people with developmental disabilities are sexually exploited before they are 18 years old.^[1]

A 2010-2011 study in the United States of 1058 people aged 14 to 21 found that 8% had sexually assaulted in their lives. In 66% of cases no one found out and the perpetrator did not get into any trouble. 50% said that their victim was completely to blame. 2% had raped and 3% had tried to rape.^[2]

References

1. Muccigrosso, Lynne (1 September 1991). "Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies and Programs for persons with Developmental Disabilities". Sexuality and Disability. 9 (3): 261–271. doi:10.1007/BF01102396. S2CID 144151349 – via Springer Link.
2. Mitchell, Kimberly J.; Ybarra, Michele L. (1 December 2013). "Prevalence Rates of Male and Female Sexual Violence Perpetrators in a National Sample of Adolescents". JAMA Pediatrics. 167 (12): 1125–1134. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2629. PMID 24100409 – via jamanetwork.com.