Types of Sexual Assault
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Sexual Assault
Sexual assault, also known as sexual assault, consists of any contact or behavior of a sexual nature that occurs without the consent of the other person. In Washington State, sexual assault can include:
Any intentional touching of the intimate parts of another person's clothed or naked body, including, but not limited to, the mouth, neck, buttocks, anus, genitals, or breasts.
Having another person touch your own or another person's body in the manner described above.
Any penetration, however slight, of the vagina or anus with any part or object of the body, or oral-genital contact (WAC 478-121-150).
Rape
Rape is a form of sexual assault, but not all sexual assaults are considered rape. In Washington State, rape consists of sexual intercourse, that is, penetration, no matter how slight, when there is no consent from the other person. This includes:
Any penetration of the vagina or anus, however slight, by an object, when committed by another person, whether of the same sex or the opposite sex, except when such penetration is performed for a medically recognized treatment or diagnosis.
Any act of sexual contact between persons involving the sexual organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another, whether such persons are of the same sex or the opposite sex (RCW 9A.44.010, RCW 9A.44.040).
Sexual harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature between two or more people if:
Submission to that conduct or communication becomes a term or condition, either explicitly or implicitly, for obtaining an education or employment;
An individual's submission to or rejection of that conduct or communication is used as a factor in decisions affecting that individual's education or employment; either
Such conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's educational or work performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment. (WAC 392-190-056).
Intimate partner sexual violence
This type of violence is a form of domestic violence and can also be known as marital rape. It happens when an intimate partner forces, coerces, manipulates, or threatens their spouse to have sexual relations or commit acts of a sexual nature without consent.
In 1993, marital rape became a crime in the United States. However, there are many states where there are exceptions to the law that do not criminalize marital rape if there was no force (for example, the partner was unconscious or asleep and could not give consent.)
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse that includes sexual activity with a minor. A child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity, period. When a perpetrator associates with a child in this way, they are committing a crime that can have lasting effects on the victim for years. Child sexual abuse does not need to include physical contact between a perpetrator and a child.
Some forms of child sexual abuse include (but are not limited to):
Exhibitionism, or exposing oneself to a minor
Fondling
Intercourse
Masturbation in the presence of a minor or forcing the minor to masturbate
Dirty conversations, phone calls, text messages, or digital interaction
Producing, possessing or sharing pornographic images or films of children
Sex of any kind with a minor, including vaginal, oral or anal
Sex trafficking
Any other contact of a sexual nature involving a minor (RCW 9A.44).