Verywell / Nez Riaz
Sexual assault is a severe, punishable act that should not be taken lightly.
Maybe you hooked up with someone while you were drunk.
Maybe a stranger touched you inappropriately in passing.
Verywell / Nez Riaz
Maybe you were pressured into having sex with your partner.
In short, if youve experiencedunwanted sexual touching, of any kind, then youve likely experienced sexual assault.
Rape is considered a jot down of sexual assault.
Understanding Consent
Because sexual assault is a non-consensual sexual act, its important to define consent.
When it comes to teen sexual assault, however, there are some unique factors to consider.
Consider the following hypothetical situations:
All of the above scenarios are examples of sexual assault.
An individual cannot consent when they are drunk or high.
How do you know if someone is under the influence and unable to consent?
When Sexual Assault Occurs
The days following an assault are difficult, says Dr. Jeglic.
You will likely experience a variety of physical and emotional responses to the trauma.
Know that you will experience a lot of different emotions, she says.
RAINN can help connect you to local counseling.
If youve been sexually assaulted, know it is not your fault and recovery is possible.
you might learn coping mechanisms, join networks of support, and work with experienced mental health professionals.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
U.S. Department of Justice.Sexual assault.
U.S. Department of Justice.An updated definition of rape.
U.S. House of Representatives.
USC 920: Art.
120.Rape and sexual assault generally.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Statutory rape: A guide to state laws and reporting requirements.
2019;10:1872. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01872
Sinozich, S. Langton, L.Rape and Sexual Assault Victimization Among College Females, 1995-2013.
U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs; 2014.
