Sexual assault

Abstract

Sexual assault is an act of violence and aggression and represents a complex problem with medical, psychological, and legal aspects. Because definitions vary among states, the term sexual assault is sometimes used interchangeably with rape. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s definition of rape recognizes that victims of rape and perpetrators may be of either gender and includes oral and anal penetration as well as penetration with an object. This definition also includes instances in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (including due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age. Physical resistance is not required on the part of the victim to demonstrate lack of consent [1, 2].