Sexual Assualt can come in many different forms. The United States Department of Justice defines sexual assault as "any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient." This may include repeated abuse between you and a partner over a period of time, or could just be a one time thing.
In the United States, someone is sexually assaulted every 107 seconds. If you think you may be a victim of sexual assault, know that you are not alone and we have some resources to help.
First, it's important to know what a healthy relationship looks like. Approximately 4/5 of all sexual assaults in the United States are committed by someone known to the victim. A healthy relationship is one where both you AND your partner feel happy, comfortable and safe. This doesn't mean everything has to be perfect 100% of the time, but it does mean that you feel emotionally and physically safe in your relationship- and you feel happy and good about yourself.
Defining characteristics of a healthy relationship include:
- Seeing your partner as trustworthy
- Being supported by your partner
- Feeling physically and emotionally secure when you're with them
- Having the ability to be completely honest with each other.
If you're unsure whether or not you're in a healthy relationship, take this quiz to help you figure out where you stand with your partner.
Some common forms of assault or abuse include:
- Physical Abuse: Any unwanted or forced physical contact.
- Emotional Abuse: Manipulative or controlling behavior that results in you feeling bad about how you look or feel.
- Sexual Coercion: Forced participation in sexual activity that you don't feel comfortable with.
You can read more about other types of abuse here.
Acknowledging that that you have been a victim of sexual abuse or assault can be very difficult. There are a lot of great resources to help victimes of sexual assault. It is important to remember that it is not your fault, you are not alone, and there are people who can help.