What is rape?
We believe that sexual violence cannot be separated from other forms of systemic violence including racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism. We use the word survivor rather than victim to honor the strength and courage of women and men who survive sexual, physical and emotional violence. Just as every survivor's experience is different, the healing process is different for everyone. We believe in the right of survivors to define for themselves their experiences and needs. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive place for survivors of sexual violence and information about sexual violence to the community.
-Mission statement of Barnard College's Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center
According to the Connecticut State Penal Code, Section 53a, a person is guilty of first degree sexual assault when he or she:
• “Compels another person to engage in sexual intercourse by the use of force against such other person or a third person, or by the threat of use of force against such other person or against a third person which reasonably causes such person to fear physical injury to such person or a third person.”
• “Engages in sexual intercourse with another person and such other person is under thirteen years of age and the actor is more than two years older than such person.”
• “Engages in sexual intercourse with another person and such other person is mentally incapacitated to the extent that such other person is unable to consent to such sexual intercourse.”
Rape is one form of sexual assault, and the definition of rape may
vary from state to state. For
example, rape is defined in the California
Penal Code, Section 261 as forced sexual intercourse against a person's will.
The District of Columbia defines rape as vaginal
penetration by a penis using force or threat of force, or when the woman is
physically or mentally unable to give her consent.
Both women and men can be raped.
Rape and sexual abuse take different forms and fall into different categories, including:
• Acquaintance rape: sexual assault by someone known to the survivor.
• Stranger rape: sexual assault by someone unknown to the survivor
• Marital rape: sexual assault by one spouse to another. While not legally recognized as a crime in all states, spousal sexual assault can and does happen in many marriages, and can be just as traumatizing as any other category of rape.
• Gang rape: sexual assault by two or more people.
• Child sexual abuse: sexual assault of children by adults.
• Incest: sexual relations ranging from fondling to intercourse by family members. The offenders are usually in positions of authority and/or trust.
