What is sexual violence?

According to The World Health Organisation;

"Sexual violence is any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object".

Rape Crisis Scotland helps us to develop our understanding on what Sexual Violence is further;

 "Sexual violence can happen to anyone.
Rape and sexual assault can happen to adults and children, it is never the fault of the person to whom it happens.
Some survivors may have experienced an isolated attack, some may experience more than one attack in their life and others again may have lived with sexual violence over a long period of time.

Rape and sexual assault are serious crimes which happen when someone is made to take part in sexual acts to which they do not consent.

The Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act came into effect on 1 Dec 2010 defining rape as: penetration without consent, of the vagina, anus or mouth, by a penis.

The Act also sets out a crime of sexual assault by penetration, which involves penetration of the vagina or anus by any object, without consent. 

Sexual assault is a broad term which applies to many forms of sexual violence ranging from unwanted touching or kissing to being forced to perform sexual acts.

Sexual violence happens irrespective of age, race, religion, gender identity, class, sexuality, whether able bodied or disabled. No matter where you were, what you were doing, what you were wearing, if you were drunk or under influence of drugs, you did not deserve this.

The responsibility always lies with the attacker, not you".

Source: The World Health Organisation
                 Rape Crisis Scotland
                 Rape Sexual Assault Booklet provided by Rape Crisis Scotland (attached to article)