Sexual Assault & Harassment
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is the use of force, coercion, or an imbalance of power to make a person engage in sexual activity without their consent. Sexual assault is sometimes called sexual abuse.
Rape is one form of sexual assault, but it’s not the only kind. Sexual assault can include forced kissing, touching, and groping, too. Legal definitions of these terms differ depending on where you live.
Source: Planned Parenthood
Who can be a victim?
Anyone can be a victim — no matter their gender, sexual orientation, or age. However, certain groups of people are more likely than others to experience sexual assault in their lives. Women (especially women of color), LGBT-identified people, and people with developmental disabilities are more likely to experience sexual assault over the course of their lifetimes.
Source: Planned Parenthood
Sexual violence doesn’t happen in one single way. There doesn’t need to be a weapon involved and the victim doesn’t need to have fought back, screamed, or said “no” repeatedly in order for it to count as rape or sexual assault. Most sexual assaults don’t happen by strangers in dark alleyways. Often, it’s someone the victim knows or even a romantic partner. If you or someone you know has experienced this type of violence, you’re not alone, and help is available.
Source: Planned Parenthood
RAINN
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Visit https://rainn.org/ to gain more resources!
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment means unwanted, inappropriate sexual advances, including suggestive gestures, language, or touching.
Resources
National Sexual Assault Hotline: This National hotline, operated by RAINN, serves people affected by sexual violence. It automatically routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search your local center here. Hotline: 800.656.HOPE
National Sexual Violence Resource Center: This site offers a wide variety of information relating to sexual violence including a large legal resource library.
National Organization for Victim Assistance: Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States as the recognized leader in this noble cause.
National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence hosts a resource library home of thousands of materials on violence against women and related issues, with particular attention to its intersections with various forms of oppression.
U.S. Department of Justice: National Sex Offender Public Website: NSOPW is the only U.S. government Website that links public state, territorial, and tribal sex offender registries from one national search site.
The National Center for Victims of Crime: The mission of the National Center for Victims of Crime is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. They are dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime.
National Street Harassment Hotline: Created by Stop Street Harassment, Defend Yourself, and operated by RAINN, the National Street Harassment Hotline is a resource for those affected by gender-based street harassment. Support is available in English and Spanish: call 855.897.5910 or chat online.
Any victim of sexual assault or sexual harassment is NEVER at fault or to blame