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What is Abuse?

What is Abuse?

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is unwanted sexual contact or threats without that person’s consent.  This includes rape or attempted rape, sodomy (oral or anal sexual acts), child molestation, incest, sexual harassment, exhibitionism, voyeurism, or fondling. Assailants can be strangers, acquaintances, friends, or family members. Assailants commit sexual violence by way of violence, threats, coercion, manipulation, pressure or tricks. Forced sex, even by a spouse or intimate partner with whom you also have consensual sex, is an act of aggression and violence.

Survivors of sexual violence often experience a number of effects from this trauma. These effects may include:

  • Flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Anger and rage
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Hypervigilance
  • Anxiety and panic
  • Self-blame, guilt, and shame
  • Emotional numbing
  • Physical symptoms and health problems