What is Sexual Assault?

The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include:

  • Attempted rape
  • Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
  • Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body
  • Forcing someone to look at or pose for pornographic material
  • Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape (includes oral, anal or vaginal penetration)

Sexual assault is a violent crime that involves power, aggression, and control. Rape and sexual assault are never the victim/survivor’s fault. Sexual assault can happen anywhere, anytime of day, to anyone regardless of age, class, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or gender.

What is force? 

Force doesn’t always refer to physical pressure. Perpetrators may use emotional coercion, psychological force, or manipulation to coerce a victim into non-consensual sex. Some perpetrators will use threats to force a victim to comply, such as threatening to hurt the victim or their family or other intimidation tactics.

Who Is an Adult Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse?

An individual who was sexually abused as a child is an adult survivor of child sexual abuse. This abuse may have had long-term effects on the survivor’s life. In most instances, the victim of the abuse never discussed the abuse with others while it was occurring. This individual is learning now, as an adult, to deal with the effects of the abuse.

Child sexual abuse occurs when a child is used for the sexual gratification of an older adolescent or adult. It also involves the abuse of power that an adult has over a child. The sexual abuse may be used by the adult as a means of fulfilling his need to be powerful.

Long-Term Effects on Adult Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse

Each individual’s experiences and reactions are unique to that individual. However, with so many survivors breaking the silence and talking about their experiences, it has become apparent that there are some responses to child sexual abuse that are common to many survivors.

  • Feelings of extremely low self-esteem or self-hatred are common in survivors.
  • Survivors often experience frequent sleep disturbances, nightmares, and flashbacks.
  • Lack of trust in relationships with others.
  • Possibility of re-victimization, the process where survivors who were sexually abused as children find themselves in abusive, dangerous situations, or relationships as adults.
  • Survivors with disabilities who experienced sexual abuse in childhood might never have reached a level of independence to escape this abuse and it has become a way of life.

What is drug-facilitated sexual assault?

Drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs when alcohol or drugs are used to compromise an individual’s ability to consent to sexual activity. These substances make it easier for a perpetrator to commit sexual assault because they inhibit a person’s ability to resist and can prevent them from remembering the assault.

Several medications in particular have received recent media attention regarding sexual assault – GHB: Gamma Hydroxybutrate, Rohypnol: Flunitrazepam (Roofies), and Hydrochloride (Vitamin K).

Drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs in two ways:

  • When the perpetrator takes advantage of a victim’s voluntary use of drugs or alcohol;
  • When the perpetrator intentionally forces a victim to consume drugs without their knowledge.
How will I know if I’ve been drugged?

Depending on the substance, the initial effects of a drug can go unnoticed or become apparent very quickly. Being familiar with the warning signs can help alert you to the possibility of drugs in your system.

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Feeling drunk when you haven’t consumed any alcohol or very limited amounts
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Nausea
  • Sudden body temperature change that could be signaled by sweating or chattering teeth
  • Sudden increase in dizziness, disorientation, or blurred vision
  • Waking up with no memory, or missing large portions of memories

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you’re not alone. To speak with someone who is trained to help, call Sexual Trauma Services Crisis Hotline at (803) 771-7273.