Title: About Sexual Assault | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Headings: About Sexual Assault
About Sexual Assault
What is consent?
Who does sexual violence impact?
Victims often know the person who sexually assaulted them.
Victims are never at fault.
Rape is often not reported or convicted.
The Impact of Sexual Violence
Impact on survivors
Impact on loved ones
Impact on communities
Impact on society
References

Content: Rape or sexual assault
Child sexual assault and incest
Sexual assault by a person’s spouse or partner
Unwanted sexual contact/touching
Sexual harassment
Sexual exploitation and trafficking
Exposing one’s genitals or naked body to other (s) without consent
Masturbating in public
Watching someone engage in private acts without their knowledge or permission
Nonconsensual image sharing
There is a social context that surrounds sexual violence. Social norms that condone violence, use power over others, traditional constructs of masculinity, the subjugation of women, and silence about violence and abuse contribute to the occurrence of sexual violence. Oppression in all of its forms is among the root causes of sexual violence. Sexual violence is preventable through collaborations of community members at multiple levels of society—in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, faith settings, workplaces, and other settings. We all play a role in preventing sexual violence and establishing norms of respect, safety, equality, and helping others. What is consent? Consent must be freely given and informed, and a person can change their mind at any time. Consent is more than a yes or no. It is a dialogue about desires, needs, and level of comfort with different sexual interactions. Who does sexual violence impact?