Definitions
Definition of Sexual Violence
Sexual violence (SV) is any sexual act that is forced against someone's will. These acts can be physical, verbal, or psychological. There are four types of sexual violence (Basile and Saltzman, 2002); all types involve victims who do not consent, or who are unable to consent or refuse to allow the act.
- A completed sex act is defined as contact between the penis and the vulva or the penis and the anus involving penetration, however slight; contact between the mouth and penis, vulva, or anus; or penetration of the anal or genital opening of another person by a hand, finger, or other object.
- An attempted (but not completed) sex act
- Abusive sexual contact is defined as intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person.
- Non-contact sexual abuse is defined as abuse that does not involve physical contact. Examples of non-contact sexual abuse include voyeurism; intentional exposure of an individual to exhibitionism; pornography; verbal or behavioral sexual harassment; threats of sexual violence; and taking nude photographs of a sexual nature of another person.
Why is a Consistent Definition Important?
A consistent definition is needed to monitor the incidence of SV and examine trends over time. In addition, it helps determine the magnitude of SV and compare the problem across jurisdictions. A consistent definition also helps researchers measure risk and protective factors for victimization in a uniform manner. This ultimately informs prevention and intervention efforts.
Reference
Basile KC, Saltzman LE. Sexual violence surveillance: uniform definitions and recommended data elements version 1.0. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2002. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pub/SV_surveillance.html
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