Every 68 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States. Sexual assault is a serious and widespread problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. By understanding what constitutes sexual assault, recognizing its impact, and knowing how to respond, we can all contribute to creating a safer society. 

What Is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault refers to any sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. It encompasses a wide range of unwanted sexual acts, including:

  • Rape: Penetration of the victim’s body without consent
  • Attempted rape: Trying to rape someone but not completing the act
  • Unwanted touch: Touching another person’s body in a sexual way without their consent
  • Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts: Using intimidation or power and control tactics to force someone to perform oral sex or compell them to engage in sexual acts with another person
  • Sexual coercion: Using pressure, manipulation, or threats to make someone engage in sexual activity

Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. No matter what they are wearing, where they were, whether they had been drinking, or their relationship with the perpetrator. Consent – overt, enthusiastic and clear consent – is the critical factor, and it must be freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific.

Why Does Sexual Assault Happen?

Sexual assault happens because on some level, society accepts a certain level of sexual violence. There are several contributing factors. Understanding these factors can help us develop effective prevention strategies:

Power and Control

Many perpetrators use sexual assault as a way to exert power and control over others. This is why sexual assault often occurs in situations with power imbalances, such as between an employer and employee, a teacher and student, a parent and a child, an older relative and child, an older or bigger peer and smaller/younger peer, or in other hierarchical relationships.

Societal Factors

Several societal factors contribute to sexual assault:

  • Gender inequality: Societies that objectify women, or consider women inferior to men tend to have higher rates of sexual violence.
  • Harmful cultural norms: Beliefs that normalize violence or aggression, particularly sexual aggression.
  • Rape myths and misconceptions: False beliefs about sexual assault that blame victims and excuse perpetrator behavior.
  • Media influence: Depictions that normalize or glorify sexual violence.

Individual Risk 

Research identifies certain risk factors associated with sexual assault perpetration and victimization:

  • History of childhood sexual or physical abuse
  • Alcohol and drug use, which can impair judgment and reduce inhibitions
  • Hostility toward women
  • Acceptance of violence
  • Peer support for sexual aggression
  • Exposure to sexually explicit media with violence

Understanding these factors doesn’t excuse the behavior but can help us identify points of intervention to prevent sexual assault.

How to Intervene: Bystander Intervention

Perhaps you’ve been in a situation where you’ve been worried about the general “sketchiness” of the environment, or worried about someone being taken advantage of. Bystander intervention refers to recognizing potentially dangerous situations and taking action to prevent harm. Some ways to intervene:

The “Four Ds” of Bystander Intervention

  1. Direct: Intervene directly if it’s safe to do so. This might involve saying something like, “Hey, they clearly aren’t interested” or “That’s not okay.”
  2. Distract: Create a distraction to interrupt the situation. For example, you might spill a drink, ask for directions, or pretend you know the person at risk and need to speak with them urgently.
  3. Delegate: Find someone in a position of authority (like a security guard, bartender, or event staff) and ask for help.
  4. Delay: If you can’t intervene in the moment, check in with the person afterward to see if they’re okay and need support.

Safety Considerations

When intervening, prioritize your safety and the safety of others. If the situation seems dangerous, call for professional help rather than intervening personally.

Common Reactions to Sexual Assault

There is no “right” way to react to sexual assault. Survivors may experience a wide range of emotional, physical, and psychological responses:

Emotional Responses

  • Shock and denial
  • Fear and anxiety
  • Guilt and shame
  • Anger
  • Sadness and depression
  • Numbness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Mood swings

Physical Responses

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Changes in eating patterns
  • Physical pain
  • Fatigue
  • Hyperarousal or being easily startled
  • Sexual dysfunction

Long-term Effects

Some survivors may develop:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Substance use issues
  • Trust issues in relationships

It’s essential to understand that these reactions are normal responses to trauma, not signs of weakness. Each person’s healing journey is unique, and there’s no timeline for recovery.

Healing from Sexual Assault

Healing from sexual assault is deeply personal. It looks different for everyone. Here are some paths that may support healing:

Professional Support

  • Therapy: Evidence-based approaches that help survivors process trauma, and create a trusting, safe relationship are essential. Internal Family Systems, Somatic Processing,  Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are some of the modalities to look for when searching for a trauma recovery therapist. However, the most important factor is feeling comfortable and safe with your therapist. 
  • Support groups: Trauma causes isolation; being with others who have had similar experiences prevents isolation and is a huge factor in healing. Evidence shows that support groups for survivors reduce isolation and provide safety, validation and hope.
  • Medication: For some, medication may help manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD. But evidence strongly suggests that medication alone cannot treat trauma; medication combined with therapy is the strongest, most effective strategy. 
  • Self Defense Training such as Impact, RAD or Model Mugging are empowering modes of healing when you are ready. 

Self-Care Strategies

  • Physical self-care: Regular sleep, nutritious food, being outdoors, and physical activity will help stabilize your mood and energy.
  • Emotional self-care: Journaling, art, music, and mindfulness practices will help you process feelings.
  • Setting boundaries: Learning to establish and communicate personal boundaries is an important part of reclaiming autonomy and personal safety.
  • Reconnecting with joy: Gradually reengaging with activities that bring pleasure and meaning is a vital step in your recovery.

The Role of Support Networks

Supportive friends, family members, and partners play a crucial role in healing. As a supporter, you can do this in the following ways:

  • Believe the survivor
  • Listen without judgment
  • Respect the survivor’s choices
  • Learn about trauma responses
  • Be patient with the healing process
  • Encourage professional help when needed

How to Report Sexual Assault

Reporting sexual assault is a personal decision, and many never report – studies show that only about 31% of assaults ever get reported. The rate for children is much lower, only about 12%. Survivors who choose to report are not always believed, which lowers the reporting rate – a vicious feedback loop. Our society needs to do a better job of creating the conditions that encourage reporting of sexual crimes. It takes courage to report. 

For those who do report, there are multiple options available:

Medical Services

Seeking medical attention after sexual assault is important for physical health and can also help preserve evidence. Many hospitals have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) or Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs) who are specially trained to:

  • Provide compassionate care
  • Treat injuries
  • Offer preventive treatment for STIs
  • Provide emergency contraception if needed
  • Collect forensic evidence (rape kit) if desired

It’s possible to receive medical care without reporting to law enforcement, though in some places healthcare providers may have mandatory reporting requirements. 

It should be noted that it is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of rape kits languishing in police departments or DNA crime labs nationwide. This backlog sends a message about what and who we prioritize in our society. To learn more, or to advocate, visit www.endthebacklog.org.

Law Enforcement

Reporting to the police is an option but not required. If someone chooses to report, they can:

  • Call 911 in an emergency
  • Visit a local police station
  • Request that an officer come to their location

When reporting, the person has the right to:

  • Have an advocate or support person present
  • Ask for an officer of a specific gender, if available
  • Request an interpreter if needed
  • Take breaks during questioning
  • Ask what happens next in the process

Campus Resources

For assaults that happen on college campuses or involve students, there are additional reporting options under Title IX:

  • Title IX coordinator
  • Campus security
  • Resident advisors
  • University health services

Title IX is currently under attack by the current administration. You can join efforts to reverse this by contacting your representatives at the state and federal level to express your demands, and supporting organizations who fight for a strong IX presence in our educational system. 

Anonymous Reporting

Some jurisdictions offer anonymous reporting options that allow victims to share information about the assault without identifying themselves. This can help law enforcement identify patterns and serial perpetrators. In Gainesville, Florida, reporters can make an anonymous report here: https://www.reportrapegainesville.org/. This is a collaboration between the Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center. 

Preventing Sexual Assault:  Society

Preventing sexual assault requires a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple levels of society:

Cultural Change

  • Challenge harmful gender norms and stereotypes
  • Promote media literacy to critically analyze portrayals of sexuality and violence
  • Encourage healthy masculinity that values respect and empathy
  • Value women as full human beings, deserving of full human rights
  • Create communities that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable

Education

  • Age-appropriate sex education that teaches consent, healthy relationship skills, and clear communication skills
  • Training for educators, parents, and youth leaders on recognizing and responding to concerning behaviors
  • Public awareness campaigns that challenge rape myths and promote bystander intervention

Policy and Legislation

  • Strengthen laws around sexual assault and increasing penalties for perpetrators
  • Extend the statute of limitations (several states have done this already)
  • Improve the legal process for survivors who choose to report
  • Fund support services for survivors
  • Require sexual harassment training in workplaces and educational institutions
  • Require and end to the backlog of rape kits (read more here)

Individual Action

Each of us can contribute to preventing sexual assaults by doing the following:

  • Model and teach consent in all relationships
  • Speak up against sexist jokes and comments
  • Support organizations that work to end sexual violence
  • Believe and support survivors
  • Raise children with healthy attitudes about gender, respect, and consent

Conclusion

Sexual assault is so pervasive, many people say it’s inevitable. It’s not inevitable. When we understand sexual assault, learn how to intervene safely, support survivors, work together to change the cultural factors that enable sexual violence, and strengthen our laws, we can create communities where everyone is safe from sexual harm.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted, know you are not alone. Know that there are many, many of us who are angry on your behalf, empathize deeply with you, and are working to change our culture to prevent sexual assaults from happening. 

Recovery is possible. 

Healing is possible, and you deserve healing. 

Don’t face the aftermath of sexual assault alone. There are resources available to help. From therapy to support groups to empowering action, you can heal. 

Resources

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, or you want to join the fight to make a safer world, the following resources can provide support you:

These organizations offer confidential support, information, referrals to other local and national resources, and empowerment to all of us.