WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT

Sexual assault is a crime predominately committed by men against women and children and is when there is forced and unwanted sexual contact with another person, which may include:

-          Touching or fondling of genitals, breasts, abdomen, thighs or buttocks.

-          Unwanted nudity.

-          Being watched or asked to undress while bathing, going to the toilet etc.

-          Indecent exposure.

-          Oral sex (also known as fellatio or cunnilingus). Either being forced to perform on the offender or   
            be forced on to the victim.

-          Penetration by a penis, finger or object.

-          Forced to perform masturbation on the offender or themselves. 

-          Being made to look at sexual pictures e.g. magazines, Internet, photos or movies.

-          Talking to you about sex in ways that make you feel uncomfortable.

Young women and men from all backgrounds, ages and abilities at some point in their lives may be exposed to or experience sexual assault or violence.  It is known that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys by the age of 18 will be sexually assaulted.  Sometimes the sexual offender may be a stranger, but in 85% of all cases of child sexual abuse the child knew the person who abused them.  The offender may have been someone the child depended on, trusted or liked, such as a family member, friend, boyfriend, teacher or neighbour.

Some of the words used to name people who sexually abuse children or teenagers are sexual offender, perpetrator, and abuser.  Laurel House information packages call the person a sexual offender.