Countyfairs

Sexual Assault

SEXUAL ASSAULT INFORMATION SHEET

Sexual violence is any act (verbal and/or physical) which breaks a
person's trust and/or safety and is sexual in nature. The term "sexual
violence" includes: rape, incest, child sexual assault, ritual abuse, date
and acquaintance rape, marital or partner rape, sexual harassment,
exposure, and voyeurism. Sexual assaults are acts of violence where sex
is used as the weapon. Assaults are motivated primarily out of anger
and/or a need to feel powerful by controlling, dominating, or humiliating
the victim. Victims/survivors of sexual assaults are forced, coerced,
and/or manipulated to participate in unwanted sexual activity.

Victims/survivors do not cause their assaults and are not to blame.
Offenders are responsible for the assaults.

Here Are the Facts for the United States:

Few rapes are reported to the police (52% according to DOJ, 59%
according to the FBI) most commonly because it is a private or personal
matter and/or they fear reprisal from the assailant. (Bureau of Justice
Statistics, U.S. Dept. Of Justice, 1994, and the FBI).