Sexual Assault

Learn the Facts

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 know as rape

Sexual Assault Myths

Myth: Many people lie about experiencing sexual assault.
Fact: Only 2-8% of rapes are falsely reported, the same percentage as for other felonies.

Myth: A person cannot sexually assault their partner or spouse.
Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experiences rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Myth: Rape and sexual assault are about sexual attraction and gratification.
Fact: Sexual assault is about power and control and is not motivated by sexual gratification.

Myth: Rape is usually violent and involves a stranger.
Fact: The majority of victims know their attacker. This could be a family member, intimate partner, friend, friend of the family, etc. 60% of child sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by someone the child know outside the family, and 30% are assaulted by family members.

Myth: A person that has really been raped will be hysterical.
Fact: Everyone responds to trauma differently.

Resources

Tennessee Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Hotline: 1-866-811-RISE (7473)

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

If you live in the Nashville area, reach out to our partner Sexual Assault Center.
101 French Landing Drive, Nashville, TN 37228
615-259-9055