Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a term that is used interchangeably with the word rape. The decision on whether or not to use the term rape or sexual assault is made by a state’s jurisdiction. Sexual assault is more readily used in an attempt to be more gender neutral (National Victim Center). Sexual assault can be most easily described as forced or unconsentual sexual intercourse. The individual that is performing these acts on the victim may …showed first 75 words of 1324 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1324 total…arousal” (Clancy, 1998). Victims of rape go through various psychological emotions after their traumatic experience. These effects can range from short-term effects that last for about three months to long-term effects that can last up to four years. Many times the only way to help the victims through these psychological effects is through a strong support system of family and friends, as well as psychological counseling, to help them through the long and extensive recovery process.