Sexual assault
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/* Support organizations */ not sure how it relates to sexual *assault* specifically ;seems more work misconduct-related
{{CrimLaw}}
'''Sexual assault''' is any [[assault]] of a sexual nature on another person. Though sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may be of a man on a man, woman on a man or woman on a woman.<ref>[http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/psychology/female_offenders/6.html Chapter 6: Female Sex Offenders], ''All about Female Offenders'', by Katherine Ramsland.</ref> While sexual assaults are associated with the crime of [[rape]], it may cover assaults which would not be considered to be rapes.<ref>'''Assault''', Black's Law Dictionary, 8th Edition. ''See also Ibbs v The Queen'', High Court of Australia, 61 ALJR 525, 1987 WL 714908 (sexual assault defined as sexual penetration without consent); Sexual Offences Act 2003 Chapter 42 s 3 Sexual assault (United Kingdom), (sexual assault defined as sexual contact without consent), ''and Chase v. R.'' 1987 CarswellNB 25 (Supreme Court of Canada) (sexual assault defined as force without consent of a sexual nature)</ref>
What constitutes a sexual assault is determined by the laws of the [[jurisdiction]] where the assault takes place, which vary considerably, and are influenced by local social and cultural attitudes.
It has been said that sexual assault includes rape, forced [[sexual penetration|vaginal, anal or oral penetration]], forced [[sexual intercourse]], inappropriate [[touching]], forced [[kissing]], [[child molestation]] and the [[torture]] of the victim in a sexual manner.<ref>[http://www.4woman.gov/faq/sexualassault.htm Frequently Asked Questions About Women's Health: Sexual Assault], The National Women's Health Information Center, [[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]].</ref>
==Rape==
{{main|Rape}}
Perpetrators of rapes may include, but are not limited to, strangers, acquaintances, neighbors, superiors, legal entities (as in the case of torture), or family members. Generally, victims are much more likely to be assaulted by an acquaintance (such as a friend or co-worker), a dating partner, an ex-boyfriend or an intimate partner than by a complete stranger.<ref name="Abbey">Abbey, A., BeShears, R., Clinton-Sherrod, A. M., & McAuslan, P. (2004). Psychology of Women Quarterly, 28, 323-332.[http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Similarities_And_Differences_In_Women_s_Sexual_Assault_Experiences_Based_On_Tactics.pdf "Similarities and differences in women's sexual assault experiences based on tactics used by the perpetrator"]. Accessed 9 July 2008.</ref>
Sexual intercourse is sometimes accomplished by violence or force sufficient to cause physical injury. More often, it is accomplished by psychological coercion alone, with no overt physical injuries to the victim. However, even when no lasting physical injury is sustained, the psychological damage done by this form of intimate violation may be substantial.
Studies have shown that the psychological damage is often particularly severe when sexual assault is committed by parents against children due to the incestuous nature of the assault.<ref name= Courtois>{{cite book|title=Healing the Incest Wound: Adult Survivors in Therapy|last= Courtois|first=Christine A.|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|pages=p208|year=1988|isbn= 0393313565}}</ref> Incest between a child or adolescent and a related adult has been identified as the most widespread form of child sexual abuse with a huge capacity for damage to a child.<ref name=Courtois/>
==See also==
*[[Rape]]
*[[Sexual Abuse]]
*[[Sexual violence]]
*[[Medical emergency]]
*[[R v Collins]]
*[[Sexual assault in the U.S. military]]
*[[Tailhook scandal]]
*[[2003 U.S. Air Force Academy sexual assault scandal]]
==References==
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== Further reading ==
* Wishart, G.D. (2003). "The Sexual Abuse of People with Learning Difficulties: Do We Need A Social Model Approach To Vulnerability?", ''Journal of Adult Protection'', Volume 5 (Issue 3).
==External links==
===National organizations===
* [http://www.mencanstoprape.org/ MenCanStopRape.org]
* [http://www.rainn.org/ Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network], the United States' largest anti-sexual assault organization.
* [http://www.sacc.to/ Sexual Assault Care Centre Scarborough], An extensive resource for victims/survivors of sexual assault.
* [http://www.theawarenesscenter.org The Awareness Center, Inc. (Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault)]
* [http://www.victimrights.org/ The Victim Rights Law Center (The National Pioneer of Legal Services to Victims of Sexual Assault)]
===Support organizations===
* [http://www.aftersilence.org/ After Silence], online support group and forums and chat room for survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and their supporters.
* [http://www.pandys.org/ Pandora's Aquarium], an online support group, message board, and chat room for sexual assault survivors and their supporters.
* [http://www.aafv.net/ Support for Victims and Their Family], Support for Victims and Their Family
===Research and information===
* [http://www.NotheRapeDocumentary.org/ Award Winning Documentary on Sexual Assault and Healing]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/rcip/ Rape Crisis Information Pathfinder- research on sexual assault]
* [http://www.sexualassault.army.mil/ U.S. Army Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program]
{{Sex}}
[[Category:Medical emergencies]]
[[Category:Gender studies]]
[[Category:Sexism]]
[[Category:Violence against women]]
[[Category:Criminology]]
[[Category:Rape]]
[[Category:Sex crimes]]
[[ar:إعتداء جنسي]]
[[ca:Agressió sexual]]
[[de:Sexuelle Nötigung]]
[[fr:Agression sexuelle en droit pénal français]]
[[he:תקיפה מינית]]
[[nl:Aanranding]]
[[ja:性的暴行]]
[[zh:性侵犯]]