Sexual assault

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Criminal law
Part of the common law series
Criminal elements
Actus reus · Causation · Concurrence
Mens rea · Intention · Recklessness
Criminal negligence · Ignorantia juris…
Strict, Corporate & Vicarious liability
Crimes against people
Assault · Battery · Robbery
Sexual offences · Pimping · Rape
Kidnapping · Manslaughter · Murder
Crimes against property
Property damage · Arson
Theft · Burglary · Deception
Crimes against justice
Obstruction of justice · Bribery
Perjury · Malfeasance in office
Inchoate offenses
Attempt
Conspiracy · Accessory
Criminal defenses
Automatism, Intoxication & Mistake
Insanity · Diminished responsibility
Duress · Necessity
Provocation · Self defence
Other areas of the common law
Contract law · Tort law · Property law
Wills and trusts · Evidence
Portals: Law · Criminal justice
This article is about a form of sexual violence. For other uses, see Sexual assault (disambiguation).

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.[1] While sexual assaults are associated with the crime of rape, it may cover assaults which would not be considered to be rapes.[2]

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 vaginal, anal or oral penetration, forced sexual intercourse, inappropriate touching, forced kissing, child molestation and the torture of the victim in a sexual manner.[3]

Contents

[edit] Rape

 This article has been nominated to be checked for its neutrality.
Discussion of this nomination can be found on the talk page. (November 2007)
Main article: Rape

Perpetrators of rapes may include, but are not limited to, strangers, acquaintances, superiors, legal entities (as in the case of torture), or family members. Generally, victims are more likely to be assaulted by an acquaintance (such as a friend or co-worker), an intimate partner, or a family member than by a complete stranger.

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.[citation needed]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Chapter 6: Female Sex Offenders, All about Female Offenders, by Katherine Ramsland.
  2. ^ 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)
  3. ^ Frequently Asked Questions About Women's Health: Sexual Assault, The National Women's Health Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

[edit] 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).

[edit] External links

[edit] National organizations

[edit] Support organizations

[edit] Research and information

v • d • e
Sex
Sexual acts
Adult entertainment
Health & education
History
Identity
Law
Physiological events
Relationships and society
See also