What is Sexual Assault?
The United States Department of Justice defines Sexual Assault as "means any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent."
Though it is hard to define depending on which state you reside in, though the crime usually falls into one of three categories. (Jennifer Gentile Long, the chief executive officer of AEquitas: The Prosecutors' Resource on Violence Against Women, a global project she co-founded in April 2009, tells SELF those include:)
- Penetration crimes
- Of a body part by another body part (i.e., penal penetration of mouth, anus, vagina)
- Of a body part by an object
- Contact with genitalia, breast, buttocks, or other intimate body parts
- Exposure of genitalia, breast, buttocks or other intimate body parts
Physical warning signs:
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Signs of trauma to the genital area, such as unexplained bleeding, bruising, or blood on the sheets.
Behavioral signs:
Sexual behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s age.
Bedwetting or soiling the bed, if the child has already outgrown these behaviors.
Not wanting to be left alone with certain people or being afraid to be away from primary caregivers, especially if this is a new behavior.
Tries to avoid removing clothing to change or bathe.
Emotional signs:
Excessive talk about or knowledge of sexual topics.
Resuming behaviors that they had grown out of, such as thumbsucking.
Nightmares or fear of being alone at night
Excessive worry or fearfulness.