Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a form of sexual violence. It refers to any sexual contact or behavior that happens without explicit consent*. Sexual assault can cause harm and impact someone’s life. Everyone can experience sexual assault, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, immigration status, appearance, geographic location, etc.
Sexual assault can include:
Unwanted touching or fondling (touching chest, grabbing butt, etc.)
Forcing* someone to complete and/or perform sexual acts
Unwanted penetration of a person’s body
Any attempt to do the above
*Force is not only physical. Force includes but is not limited to: threats to harm the survivor or their families, emotional coercion, imposing fear, withholding of resources, manipulation, and/or using their position of power (ex. employer, teacher, etc.). Learn more about the definition and importance of consent.
Sexual assault impacts everyone: survivors, friends, partners, families, and our entire community as a whole. Preventing sexual assault is 100% possible and everyone can play a role.
After a Sexual Assault
There is no right or wrong decision to make following a sexual assault. You choose what feels right for you
Survivors may be faced with multiple options and decisions. During this time, you may not want, or be ready, to make any of these decisions. This is common and okay.
If you would like to speak about your options regarding reporting to the police or obtaining a medical forensic exam, you can speak to an advocate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can call the DC Victim Hotline at 1-844-HELPDC (844-443-5732). If applicable, advocates can provide free transportation and stay with you throughout your exam or reporting to the police. For more information on a medical forensic exam, click HERE.
Additional support is available:
Hotlines or chatlines: You may want or need emotional support, coping skills or grounding exercises throughout the day. These hotlines are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can reach out to:
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): via phone (800-656-4673) or access their chat via their website.
DC Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC) hotline: via phone 202-333-7273.
Therapy: A lot of folks can find therapy a safe space to process what occurred, speak about what healing can look like for them with a therapist who specializes in sexual assault.
NVRDC offers therapeutic services, you can call: 202-742-1727 x 2
Some considerations:
Safety: This can be your physical safety or safety in general. Consider if you have a support system you can reach out to. Think about creating a safety plan, such as a person to call if you feel unsafe, or a safe location to go to. Know that you do not have to share anything you do not want to. You are in control.
Timeline: While some options are time-sensitive, support is always available for survivors.
It was not ok: Something happened that you did not want to happen. That is not ok and you are believed.
What Causes Sexual Assault?
Oppression and inequality are the root causes of sexual violence
Every form of oppression, ranging from racism, classism, ableism, homophobia, etc. contribute to a society where sexual violence exists.
Harmful social norms, that we accept and have become accustomed to, allow sexual violence to persist. For example: the construct of masculinity, the belief that women are inferior to men, the acceptance of violence in general, controlling and using power over people and the encouragement of silence and shame around sexual violence.
What Does NOT Cause Sexual Assault?
Clothing - Clothing is not consent, has never been consent, and will never be consent. You should be able to wear whatever you want to wear. If someone tells you that your clothing made it look like you were “asking for it”, know that this is NOT true.
Alcohol/Substances - Alcohol and other substances are never the cause of sexual assault. These inhibit a person’s ability to be able to freely and willingly consent to anything. Alcohol and other substances also do not cause anyone to cause harm to others. It may embolden a person, but it is not an excuse. Sexual assault is a crime about power and control, not about how much a person has had to drink.
Previous Sexual Encounters - Consent can be given and taken away at any time. It also only applies to the instance in which it is given. If someone consents to sexual activity today, does not mean that they will consent to sexual activity tomorrow. The frequency a person engages in sexual activity also does not cause sexual assault. A perpetrator may assume that just because a person may have sex often, means that person wants to have sex all the time, which is not true.
Effects of Sexual Assault
Everyone is different and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to react
Survivors can have a variety of reactions to sexual violence
Emotional/Mental
Feelings of shame and loneliness
Fear of not being believed
Feelings of guilt about what happened
Feeling unsafe - this can include physical safety as well as emotional safety
Difficulty trusting or feeling comfortable around others
Physical
Change in sleeping patterns
Changes in appetite
Hypervigilance (a constant need to look over you shoulder, look at your surroundings)
Elevated heart rate or rapid breathing
NOTE: not feeling “anything” or experiencing numbness is also very common
Survivors may engage in a variety of coping mechanisms and/or skills to alleviate and get through these reactions and emotions. Coping is how people survive, there is no wrong or right way to cope.
For survivors with intersecting identities, reactions to sexual assault can compound and look/feel different depending on these identities. For example, male survivors may feel “added” shame due to society’s views on masculinity. Survivors who are Black, Indigenous or people of color, can experience racism when trying to access services and support.