Are rape and sexual assault the same thing?

Question

A rape crisis network says it's the same thing, but my therapist seems to differentiate between the two.

Answer 1

NO. Rape is worse. Sexual assault doesn't require penetration. So legally it can be plead down to a reduced charge. Sexual Assault is the broad term that covers ALL unlawful forced sexual attacks, even voyeurism.

Your therapist is correct. The Rape Crisis Network wants people to report these crimes and to offer support to them. It is not in their interest to say that Sexual Assault is lesser. They are not lying; they are just trying to help people.

Rape: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape
"Rape is a crime where the victim is forced into sexual activity, in particular sexual penetration, against his or her will through use of physical force, threat of injury, or other duress."

Sexual Assault: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_assault
"Sexual assault is any undesired physical contact of a sexual nature perpetrated against another person. While associated with rape, sexual assault is much broader and the specifics may vary according to social, political or legal definition."

According to South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault: http://www.secasa.com.au/index.php/survivors/4/153/5
"1 . Rape penalty up to 25 years in prison.
Rape occurs when a man has sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent, knowing that she is not consenting or might not be consenting. It also occurs if a man continues to have sexual intercourse with a woman who initially consented, if she has changed her mind and he is aware she wants him to stop."

Later they say:
Sexual Assault: http://www.secasa.com.au/index.php/survivors/4/230/1
"Putting a penis, object or other body part (e.g. finger) in the victim’s vagina or anus, or putting a penis in the victim’s mouth.
Contact between the mouth and genitals.
Touching, fondling or kissing or being forced to touch the abuser.
Being made to look at, or pose for, pornographic photos/videos.
Voyeurism (i.e. the abuser watching while the victim is made to perform sexual acts).
Exhibitionism (i.e. making the victim watch while the abuser performs sexual acts).
Sexual talking, innuendo or harassment. "

If you are posing this question then either you or someone you know has suffered an attack. I am sorry that happened. Remember that rape and any sexual attack is NOT sex. It is a power play. The criminal wants to feel that he has control over the victim and can do his will upon her. It is just as bad as if someone beat me half to death and stole my wallet. Rape is a more personal though. And it is not the woman's fault, nor more than it would be my fault to walk by someone who wants to beat and rob me. I know it may be hard to explain that right now, but the fault lies TOTALY with the criminal. Every woman has a right to say no.

Answer 2

No. But you can be raped and sexually assualted. Rape is penetration by a penis, or object. Sexual assault can be physical and/or verbal and includes more things than rape does. It could be someone grabbing you down there, unwanted sexual touching, and any other sex act that doesn't actually involve penetration.The terms rape and sexual assault are often used to mean the same thing, but while sexual assault includes rape, it also encompasses much more.

Answer 3

Sexual assault is more whole some in nature. Rape can be considered as an act of sexual assault. Rape is more definitive in action. It culminates in impregnation.

Sexual assault can vary anywhere from a smack on any part of the body to rape and beyond!

Answer 4

In legal terms, sexual assault is sexual relations against a person's will and without consent. Some sexual assaults are committed by "strangers in dark alleys" but they may also be committed by someone you know who lives next door. Sexual assault by a friend, date, partner or casual acquaintance is the most prevalent form of sexual assault on college campuses. It is predicted that one in seven college women will be raped before graduations, and 90% will know their attacker. While the figures are much smaller for men, they also experience sexual assault.

Rape: Sexual intercourse carried out against a person’s will by the use or threat of physical force is
sometimes referred to as forcible rape.

its the same thing..........

Answer 5

they're very diverse. Rape ought to include penetration. Sexual attack can include no touching in any respect. for instance to be bare in the front of a 9 12 months previous boy that you do not recognize, in public, should be legally considered as sexual attack.

Answer 6

A rape is a sexual assault, but a sexual assault isn't always a rape. Rape includes penetration.

Answer 7

yes, both the words rape and sexual assault share the same meaning but the word rape is a bit slang and sexual assault is technical.

Answer 8

No rape has to be penetration and sexual assault could be just copping a feel

Answer 9

no its two different things. ive been raped and there is a big difference. sexual assualt is where someone is trying to get into your pants and not getting it and rape is when they force them selfs on you and make actual sex contact. its not pretty
the rape crisis centers are full of crap. i hate going to those places they leave you feeling unanswered

Answer 10

sexual assault usually associate with molest and rape is action where a person putting his Penis into another women vagina with force. Penetration occur