Call the hospital or police if it does not jeopardize your safety. P eople commit sex crimes in order to feel powerful and gain control over another person. Sexual assault, rape and incest are NOT caused by sexual desire. Sexual assault is forced sexual contact of any kind from kissing, fondling, exhibitionism and voyeurism to attempted and actual rape- forced oral, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis or other body part, or a foreign object. While most assaults are committed by men against women, either men or women can be assaulted by someone of the same or opposite gender.
Sexual assault happens most often between people who know each other.
Forcing a date, lover or married partner to have sex is rape. Sexual assault may be part of an abusive relationship. Any sexual contact by a parent, relative or caretaker to a minor is incest, including kissing, teasing, harassment, exhibitionism, touching, oral sex or intercourse. The Massachusetts Department of Social Services mandates that Independence House report child molestation by a relative or caretaker. Sexual harassment is also a crime, including any unwanted sexual remark, sexually-explicit gesture, or sexual advance which is objectionable, causes discomfort, or interferes with work or school.