What is Sexual violence?

"Illegal sexual contact that usually involves force upon a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (as because of age or physical or mental incapacity) or who places the assailant (such as a doctor) in a position of trust or authority"

"Unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against a person's will or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent because of mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception"

Sexual assault or rape that occurs during a home invasion, (a perpetrator breaking into a survivor's home without permission).

Sexual assault or rape committed by a perpetrator who had prior contact with the victim and/or personally knew the survivor.

Sexual assault or rape committed by a perpetrator who had no prior contact with the victim and/or did not personally know the survivor.

Sexual assault or rape committed by a perpetrator who has a certain type of authority over the survivor. This can include correctional facilities and juvenile detention centers, mental health institutions, youth camps, residential facilities, schools, etc. 

Sexual assault or rape in which the perpetrator gives the survivor alcohol and/or drugs in order to impair their ability to consent to sexual activity. 

Sexual assault or rape committed by someone of the same gender as the survivor. 

Sexual assault or rape committed by multiple perpetrators. 

Specific to Pennsylvania: when sexual assault or rape is committed by a perpetrator four or more years older than the survivor and when the survivor is between the ages of 12 and 15. The two individuals must also not be married and must have engaged in vaginal, oral, and/or anal sex. 

Sexual assault or rape committed against a survivor who is mentally imparied and therefore, unable to consent. 

Sexual assault or rape committed against a child (anyone under the age of 18).