The term “Sexual Assault” can be interpreted in many different ways. No two cases of sexual assault are identical, which makes defining and classifying sexual assaults difficult. Victims of sexual assault report the crime to the authorities, but the range of severity and variety of cases make it tough to prove that the perpetrator is guilty. Sexual assault is defined as a “sexual act against a person’s will or in a circumstance where the person is either unable to give consent due to age, illness, or physical/mental impairment or who is unable to refuse due to physical assault or threats” (Krivoshey et al., 2013, p. 142). Within the definition there are three important circumstances that help to classify each sexual assault: consent, unable
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A conversation before engaging in a sexual activity can ensure that both parties are in agreement, but according to Jozkowski and Peterson (2013) “College students tend to indicate their consent most frequently via nonverbal cues,” which could inhibit communication between partners (p. 517). Gender plays a large role in the miscommunication due to differences in sexual scripts. Men are more likely to show non-verbal cues opposed to women who tend to use verbal cues when it comes to consent. Although women ordinarily use verbal cues, men oftentimes misinterpret their message or ignore it entirely because the gender stereotype of men includes displaying power and assertion by making the first move. If a woman says no to sex or gives nonverbal cues such as pushing away or displaying any form of disinterest, and the man engages in any unwanted sexual act, that is considered sexual assault (Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013, p. 518). Similarly, if a woman cannot consent, such as, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or unconscious then, that too, is considered sexual assault. A popular form of sexual assault called “drug-facilitated sexual assault” is defined as, “unwanted sexual contact or intercourse that occurs when the victim is too intoxicated or high from alcohol and/or a drug given to her without her consent or against her wishes” (Lawyer et al., 2010, p. …show more content…
One of the most common forms of sexual assault is called acquaintance rape. Acquaintance rape “is a sexual assault perpetrated by someone who is known to the victim” (Romeo, 2004, p. 61). “Approximately 90% of college sexual assaults were committed by a perpetrator who was known to the victim prior to the time of the assault, often as an acquaintance, friend, dating partner, or romantic partner” (Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013, p. 517). An acquaintance rapist will use alcohol, drugs, or overpowering force to achieve their goal, which normally involves sex. Knowing the perpetrator decreases the chance that the victim will report the sexual assault for the fear that they will find out (Krivoshey et al., 2013, p. 143). The person is easily victimized because the perpetrator does not make them feel unsafe. The perpetrator makes the, soon to be, victim feel comfortable around them, then sexually assaults them when they get them
A conversation before engaging in a sexual activity can ensure that both parties are in agreement, but according to Jozkowski and Peterson (2013) “College students tend to indicate their consent most frequently via nonverbal cues,” which could inhibit communication between partners (p. 517). Gender plays a large role in the miscommunication due to differences in sexual scripts. Men are more likely to show non-verbal cues opposed to women who tend to use verbal cues when it comes to consent. Although women ordinarily use verbal cues, men oftentimes misinterpret their message or ignore it entirely because the gender stereotype of men includes displaying power and assertion by making the first move. If a woman says no to sex or gives nonverbal cues such as pushing away or displaying any form of disinterest, and the man engages in any unwanted sexual act, that is considered sexual assault (Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013, p. 518). Similarly, if a woman cannot consent, such as, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or unconscious then, that too, is considered sexual assault. A popular form of sexual assault called “drug-facilitated sexual assault” is defined as, “unwanted sexual contact or intercourse that occurs when the victim is too intoxicated or high from alcohol and/or a drug given to her without her consent or against her wishes” (Lawyer et al., 2010, p. …show more content…
One of the most common forms of sexual assault is called acquaintance rape. Acquaintance rape “is a sexual assault perpetrated by someone who is known to the victim” (Romeo, 2004, p. 61). “Approximately 90% of college sexual assaults were committed by a perpetrator who was known to the victim prior to the time of the assault, often as an acquaintance, friend, dating partner, or romantic partner” (Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013, p. 517). An acquaintance rapist will use alcohol, drugs, or overpowering force to achieve their goal, which normally involves sex. Knowing the perpetrator decreases the chance that the victim will report the sexual assault for the fear that they will find out (Krivoshey et al., 2013, p. 143). The person is easily victimized because the perpetrator does not make them feel unsafe. The perpetrator makes the, soon to be, victim feel comfortable around them, then sexually assaults them when they get them