Sexual Assault in Relationships

Many people believe that if they are in a relationship, especially married, that they cannot be sexually assaulted or that it is not sexual assault if their significant other forces sex on them. This perception is completely wrong. Sex, regardless of whether you are in a relationship or not, MUST be consentual. A boyfriend or spouse does not have the right to force themselves on you simply because you are in a relationship. NO means NO regardless of how long you have known each other or have been together.
Sexual assault is defined as any unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature that occurs without consent from both individuals. This also includes being persuaded to have sex using threat or coercion. Sexual assault, according to the law, includes the following: rape, forcible sodomy, forcible oral sex, sexual assault with an object, sexual battery, foricible fondling or threat of sexual assault.
Sexual assault in a relationship is a form of domestic violence. It does not discriminate against age, race, gender or socioeconomic background.
Some facts about sexual assault:
~ It occurs as frequently during the day as it does at night.
~ As many as 1 in 3 women have the chance of being sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
~ 80-85 percent of rapists are known by their victim.
~ 50 percent of sexual assaults occur in or near the victims home and 50 percent occur during the day.
~ 1.3 adult women are raped every minute in the US.
~ Rape is vastly underreported.
~ Men as well as women can be victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

As mentioned above, sexual acts must be consented by both individuals. Individiuals who cannot or are not considered to be able to consent to sex include: anyone under the age of 18, anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol, anyone who is developmentally disabled, or anyone who is mentally or physically unable to consent.

Remember, no means no, whether you know the person or not; whether you are an acquaintance, friend, significant other or spouse. Healthy relationships include respect for one another emotionally, spiritually, physically and sexually.

If you are a victim of sexual assault in a relationship, report it as soon as possible. Tell a friend, family member, law enforcement, etc. If someone is sexually assaulting or has sexually assaulted you, it is probably not the first time it has happened and it probably won't be the last. The only way to keep sexual assault from happening to someone else is to report it when it happens to you. It's difficult to report someone you love and care about for assault, whether it's physical or sexual, but it is important to do so...for yourself and for others.

For more information on sexual assault in relationships, visit http://www.stanford.edu/group/svab/index.shtml or www.ccasa.org.