Sexual Abuse and Assault Lawsuits: Categories of Sexual Abuse and Assault

Sexual assault is a broad term used to describe criminal sexual acts perpetrated by violence, exploitation, and incapacitation of the victim's ability to resist sexual activity without consent. Sexual abuse can happen to anyone. Women and men alike of any age, race, religion, or sexual orientation can be victimized.

Rape can be referred to as sexual assault or sexual abuse in different states. Generally speaking, according to the U.S. Justice Department, sexual assault is sexual touching and fondling, but not sexual intercourse, against a person's will. Rape is defined as sexual intercourse with vaginal, anal, or oral penetration with a body part or object without consent. State law contains the decisive definitions and descriptions of these two terms for that particular state.

Rape can be further broken down into two categories: acquaintance rape and stranger rape. Acquaintance rape is usually committed by a friend, acquaintance, or date. Verbal consent to sexual relations must be given by both parties every time there is sexual intimacy, as well to each escalating level of the intimacy. Consent is not implicit in circumstances where the parties have previously had consensual sexual intercourse.

Stranger rape has three classifications: blitz, contact, and home invasion. In a blitz sexual assault, the victim is usually assaulted at night in a violent manner by a person unknown to the victim. Contact sexual assault involves the offender contacting the victim prior to the assault in an effort to coerce her or him. Home invasion is committed by a suspect who breaks into and sexually assaults the victim in her or his house.

Sexual exploitation occurs between a professional and a client or patient. Professionals with ethical restraints against sexual activity with their clients and/or patients include teachers, doctors, therapists, lawyers, police officers, and clergy. The professional may justify the sexual relationship to the victim as therapeutic or part of professional treatment. In other instances, the victim may be pressured by the professional in order to have a positive outcome in the professional matter.

Drug-facilitated sexual assault is carried out with the use of drugs that diminish the victim's ability to refuse or resist sexual relations. Common drugs used are GHB, GBL, Rohypnol, and Benzodiazepines. These drugs leave the body's system between 10 and 72 hours after consumption. Many victims have no memory of the sexual assault.



If you are facing felony or misdemeanor charges related to a sexual assault crime, the advice of criminal defense attorneys is critical. An experienced lawyer can help defend your rights.