It also implies that a victim can recover from the impact of sexual assault. Victim Someone who has experienced sexual violence. Some people believe this term has a negative connotation because it can imply that experiencing sexual assault permanently damages the individual and limits prospects for recovery from the assault. The term victim is also used to refer to someone who dies as a direct result of sexual assault. Sexual assault is related to teen pregnancy as well as the transmission of STIs including HIV, depression, suicide, poor academic performance, and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Most experts believe that sexual assault is an expression of power, hate, and control.
Women are not the only target of sexual assault. A male is sexually assaulted when he is forced to have intercourse or sexual contact without his consent as a result of actual or threatened force. Only recently, however, have many states amended their criminal codes to include males 16 years old or older in their definition of rape. After being raped, the victim is faced with the decision of whether or not to tell someone about it. Many rape survivors disclose to a close confidant, but fewer report to police or other law enforcement, and still fewer decide to prosecute.