Sexual Violence 

OVC

HELP SERIES

for Crime Victims

Endnotes

1

Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011, Criminal Victimization,

2010, Washington, DC.

2

Ibid.

3

Ibid.

4

Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J., Smith, S.G., Walters, 

M.L., Merrick, M.T., Chen, J., & Stevens, M.R. (2011). The 

National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 

Summary Report, Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

5

Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000, Intimate Partner Violence,

Washington, DC.

6

See The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence 

Survey: 2010 Summary Report, above.

Resources for Information 

and Assistance

National Center for Victims of Crime 

202–467–8700 

www.ncvc.org

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network 

1–800–656–HOPE or 1–800–656–4673 

www.rainn.org

National Sexual Violence Resource Center 

1–877– 739–3895 

www.nsvrc.org

Directory of Crime Victim Services 

Office for Victims of Crime 

Office of Justice Programs 

U.S. Department of Justice 

http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/findvictimservices 

This product was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime under 

an agreement with ICF International in support of the Office for Victims 

of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center under contract number 

GS–23F–8182H/OJP–2006F_124. The opinions, findings, and conclusions 

or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do 

not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department 

of Justice.

The Facts About 

Sexual Violence 

In 2010, victims age 12 or older experienced 

a total of 188,380 rapes or sexual assaults.2 

In 2010, 91.9 percent of rape victims were 

female. Of these, 48 percent were assaulted 

by friends or acquaintances, 25 percent by 

strangers, and 17 percent by intimate 

partners.3 

Nearly one in five women is raped in her 

lifetime;4 one in six men experiences 

a sexual assault in his lifetime.5

Approximately 80 percent of female rape 

victims were raped before age 25; more than 

25 percent of male rape victims were raped 

by age 10.6
What Is Sexual Violence?

The term sexual violence encompasses a broad 

range of unwanted sexual activities, all of which 

are crimes that have a profound effect on victims. 

Sexual violence includes sexual assault, rape or 

attempted rape, child sexual molestation or abuse, 

incest, statutory rape, spousal or intimate partner 

rape, fondling, forced or coerced pornography, sex 

trafficking, and forced or coerced prostitution. 

Not all sexual violence includes physical contact. 

Generally, rape includes penetration with any 

object, while sexual assault may or may not include 

penetration and may include emotional rather than 

physical violence, such as the threat of sexual assault. Many state laws refer to sexual violence as 

“rape” or “sexual assault.” This brochure uses these 

terms interchangeably. 

Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of 

age, racial or cultural background, gender identity/

expression, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic 

status. Likewise, assailants can be anyone: strangers, acquaintances, friends, family members, 

intimate partners, and other people in positions 

of trust, such as clergy. Victims usually know their 

abuser: In 2010, only 25 percent of reported cases 

involved strangers.1 

Sex offenders are motivated by the need to control, 

humiliate, and harm their victims. They may use 

force, threats, coercion, and manipulation. They 

may prey on persons who are not free to consent to 

sexual contact due to mental incapacity, disability, 

intoxication (voluntary or involuntary), or because 

the person is under age. Whatever the circumstances, no one asks or deserves to be sexually 

assaulted. 

If You Are a Victim or Survivor

Understand that you are not to blame. No matter 

who you are, what you say or do, or where you go, 

you do not deserve to be sexually assaulted.

Rape violates a person’s sense of safety and trust. 

You may feel shocked or angry that it could happen to you. You may be anxious about your safety 

and always on your guard. You may feel guilty or 

ashamed, or that your family and friends blame you 

for the assault. 

Victims often suffer a variety of physical reactions, 

from changes in eating and sleeping patterns to 

nightmares or flashbacks. These reactions can cause 

victims to turn inward, becoming socially withdrawn. 

It is also common to feel powerless, contributing to 

depression and a loss of self-worth. 

Whatever your reactions or fears, it’s important to 

understand that they are normal. It’s also important 

to know that help is available. There are rape crisis 

centers or sexual assault centers with hotlines and 

staff trained to support victims and offer resources 

specific to your needs—whether or not you report 

the crime. 

What Support Can You Expect 

From a Rape Crisis Center or 

Sexual Assault Program?

Local sexual assault programs have trained, experienced advocates who provide free and confidential 

services for survivors and those indirectly affected, 

including family members, intimate partners, and 

friends. Services may include—

•	 Providing a comprehensive response to all

reports of sexual assault, such as accompanying the victim to the hospital for a sexual assault 

forensic exam (commonly known as a “rape kit”). 

•	 Serving as a primary resource for clients reporting both recent and past incidents—including 

crisis intervention and referrals. 

•	 Offering psychological, medical, and legal support and information. 

•	 Helping with emergency housing assistance.

You may be concerned about the financial burden 

of the crime, but help is available. Your state has a 

crime victim compensation program that can help 

with expenses related to the assault. State laws on 

eligibility for compensation vary. Your local rape 

crisis center or program can provide information 

about applying for compensation and inform you of 

all your rights as a victim of crime.

What Can You Do If You Have 

Been Sexually Assaulted?

•	 If you think you are still in danger, get to a safe

place. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

•	 Call someone you trust for support.

•	 Seek medical attention where a professionally

trained sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) 

can conduct a health and forensic exam (rape 

kit). You also may have unseen injuries and need 

testing and treatment for possible pregnancy and 

STIs such as HIV/AIDS. 

•	 Ask your local rape crisis center for an advocate

to go with you for your exam, and ask about 

other available services and support.

•	 If you want to report the crime to police, discuss

your options with the advocate or SANE. 

•	 If possible, preserve evidence: Don’t take a

shower, use the bathroom, brush your teeth, or 

comb your hair. Keep the clothes you wore at 

the time of the attack.