Historical Context

 The history of sexual assault traces back hundreds of years. Throughout the American colonies there have been multiple acts of sexual assault. Previously the rape law provided marital rape exemption. This law did not require confirmation of the victim to be able to testify to receive the clarity and outcome they deserve. In slavery, it would be common for the woman to be raped by their owners. When this occurred it would not be considered as assault. If she was to carry and bore the child, they would automatically become slaves at a young age. In the sixteenth century, being raped over the age of ten years old was considered “Carnal Knowledge”. Carnal knowledge is sexual intercourse between two people, requiring some form of penetration. Tracing back to the 1900s, there was still a rise of sexual assault among women. With that being said, women created an anti-rape movement. This movement brought a lot of attention to the legal system. American rape law changed and their definition of rape changed. They believed this was a weapon driven by women to exert control. Survivors in the movement became activists and spoke at St. Clement’s Church in New York City on 17th April 1971. They argued how rape is not sex but it is violence. They developed after-assault living conditions which allowed support of trauma and self defense classes. 

Other related issues of being a sexual assault victim, can then lead to medical issues such as, sexual transmitted dieses, pregnancy in adolescent and adults, suicidal thoughts or actions, and severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD. There is also a higher rate of substance abuse among sexual assault survivors.