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
- Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape
GET HELP
Have you experienced sexual violence or have questions related to victim-survivor support, referrals, accommodations, and reporting options and need to speak to a VOICE Advocate?
For confidential support contact us at 404.894.9000 24 hours per day.
Appointments are available for individuals affiliated with Georgia Tech.
Rape is a form of sexual assault, but sexual assault includes offenses other than rape. The term rape is often used as a legal definition to specifically include sexual penetration without consent.
The term “date rape” is sometimes used to refer to acquaintance rape. Perpetrators of acquaintance rape might be a date, but they could also be a classmate, a neighbor, a friend’s significant other, or any number of different roles. It’s important to remember that dating, instances of past intimacy, or other acts like kissing do not give someone consent for increased or continued sexual contact.
Survivors of both stranger rape and acquaintance rape often blame themselves for behaving in a way that they worry encouraged the perpetrator. It’s important to remember that the victim is never to blame for the actions of a perpetrator.
Listed is adapted from Rape Abuse and Incest National Network