What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual Assault is a violent attack involving dynamics of power and control, where sex is used as a weapon. It is not an act of overwhelming sexual desire. The rapist may use verbal threats, a weapon, physical force or a position of authority to disarm the victim. There are three main patterns of sexual assault: anger, power and sadistic.

What are the dynamics of Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is a crime of violence, not sexual passion. The primary goals in sexual assault are to control, degrade, and humiliate the victim. Selection of victims come from all races, ages, economic and social strata. The rapist chooses to use sexual assault to resolve non-sexual issues such as feelings of anger, powerlessness, and lack of control and influence in one’s life.

What is the impact of Sexual Assault?

Victim: The victim’s life is seriously disrupted for weeks or months as a result of the humiliating personal violation and temporary loss of control associated with rape/sexual assault. The victim may experience feelings of helplessness and guilt, emotional numbness, intense fear and concern for safety, anger, depression, flashbacks, diminished concentration, and changes in eating habits. Without intervention there can be long-lasting effects on the victim, such as difficulties with relationships.

Society: Sexual assault affects the quality of life for everyone by increasing violence and fear in society. The spouse, family and friends of a rape/sexual assault victim are particularly affected and may experience anger, a desire for revenge, impotence and guilt, as well as the stress of supporting the victim. Rape/sexual assault often disrupts relationships between the victims and those who care about them. These disruptions may be made more difficult by the lack of understanding about the dynamics of rape/sexual assault and/or the victimís inability to communicate feelings.

What does Family Service of the Piedmont offer?

Family Service of the Piedmont offers individual and family counseling, victim advocacy in medical and legal settings, and 24-hour crisis lines: (Greensboro) 273-7273 or (High Point) 889-7273.