Sexual violence is defined as a sexual act committed against someone without that person’s freely given consent.  Sexual violence is divided into the following types:

 

Completed or attempted forced penetration of an individual ─ includes completed or attempted unwanted vaginal, oral, or anal insertion through use of physical force or threats to bring physical harm toward or against the individual. Examples include

 

• Pinning the individual's arms

• Using one's body weight to prevent movement or escape

• Use of a weapon or threats of weapon use

• Assaulting the individual

 

Completed or attempted alcohol or drug-facilitated penetration of an individual ─ includes completed or attempted unwanted vaginal, oral, or anal insertion when the individual was unable to consent because they were too intoxicated (e.g., incapacitation, lack of consciousness, or lack of awareness) through voluntary or involuntary use of alcohol or drugs.

 

Completed or attempted forced acts in which an individual is made to penetrate a perpetrator or someone else ─ includes situations when the individual was made, or there was an attempt to make the assaulted individual, sexually penetrate a perpetrator or someone else without the individual’s consent because they were physically forced or threatened with physical harm. Examples include

 

• Pinning the individual's arms

• Using one's body weight to prevent movement or escape

• Use of a weapon or threats of weapon use

• Assaulting the individual

 

Completed or attempted alcohol or drug-facilitated acts in which an individual is made to penetrate a perpetrator or someone else ─ includes situations when the individual was made, or there was an attempt to make the individual, sexually penetrate a perpetrator or someone else without the individual’s consent because the individual was unable to consent because they were too intoxicated (e.g., incapacitation, lack of consciousness, or lack of awareness) through voluntary or involuntary use of alcohol or drugs.

 

Nonphysical forced penetration which occurs after a person is pressured verbally, or through intimidation or misuse of authority, to consent or submit to being penetrated - examples include being worn down by someone who repeatedly asked for sex or showed they were unhappy; feeling pressured by being lied to, or being told promises that were untrue; having someone threaten to end a relationship or spread rumors; and sexual pressure by use of influence or authority. 

 

Unwanted sexual contact – intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person without their consent, or of a person who is unable to consent or refuse. Unwanted sexual contact can be perpetrated against a person or by making a person touch the perpetrator. Unwanted sexual contact could be referred to as “sexual harassment” in some contexts, such as a school or workplace.

 

Noncontact unwanted sexual experiences - does not include physical contact of a sexual nature between the perpetrator and the assaulted individual. This occurs against a person without their consent, or against a person who is unable to consent or refuse. Some acts of non-contact unwanted sexual experiences occur without the assaulted individual’s knowledge. This type of sexual violence can occur in many different settings, such as school, the workplace, in public, or through technology. Examples include unwanted exposure to pornography or verbal sexual harassment (e.g., making sexual comments).

 

 

Source:

"Sexual Violence: Definitions." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., 23 Dec. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/sexualviolence/definitions.html