Many people believe that sexual assault occurs only in dangerous neighborhoods and is perpetrated by strangers. Research shows, however, that most sexual assaults and rapes are committed by someone the victim knows.

• Among victims aged 18 to 29, two-thirds had a prior relationship with the offender.

• During 2000, about six in ten rape or sexual assault victims stated the offender was an intimate, other relative, a friend or an acquaintance.

Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault. Avoiding "dangerous" places will not necessarily protect someone because sexual assaults can happen anywhere, even in the home or workplace. Sexual assault can happen to anyone – male,  female; old, young; straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender; and regardless of race and ethnicity.

 SEXUAL ASSAULT AT COLLEGES

A study of sexual victimization of college women showed that most victims knew the person who sexually victimized them.

• For both completed and attempted rapes, about 9 in 10 offenders were known to the victim.

• Most often, a boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, classmate, friend, acquaintance, or co-worker sexually victimized the women.

We can combat sexual assault by raising our own and our community's awareness about this crime, making sexual violence in any form unacceptable in all communities, being supportive of those who have been victimized, and holding perpetrators accountable.

ReSPONSE has many information sheets and brochures with further information. To get a copies of our publications, contact us at 265-3557 or by email.

DEFINITION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

According to Montana law, sexual assault is  “…knowingly subject[ing] another person to any sexual contact without consent….”

Sexual assault includes:

• Penile/vaginal intercourse

• Contact between the genitals and mouth

• Contact between an anus and a penis

• Penetration of the vagina or anus with a foreign object, including a finger

… and occurs when one of the following conditions exist:

• Force, even if there is no bruise or injury

• Fear, even if the victim didn’t fight back

• If a person cannot give consent because s/he is …

• incarcerated in a jail, prison or treatment facility

• disabled and cannot give consent

• is severely intoxicated or unconscious as a result of drugs or alcohol, and

• If the victim is under the age of 16.

Non-Physical Violence includes…

• The threat of violence

• Threatening to tell that they had sex if they don’t

• Threatening to hurt self if they don’t have sex

WHO IS A NON-STRANGER?

• Boyfriend

• Co-worker/classmate

• Long-time friend

• Relative

• Someone from the neighborhood

• Someone you just met