Sexual Assault is any sex act attempted or completed without consent.
Sexual assault is an umbrella term used to describe any unwanted sex act. If any of the following are attempted or completed without consent, a sexual assault has occurred:
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Vaginal sex
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Anal sex
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Oral sex
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Touching of the breasts, buttocks, or genitals (over clothes or skin-to-skin)
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Penetration with a foreign object (i.e. fingers, sex toys, etc.)
Survivors of sexual assault are diverse with regard to gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, ability, and all other individual identities. While sexual assault can happen to anyone, folks within marginalized communities tend to be disproportionately affected by violence and abuse.
“Date Rape” or “Acquaintance Rape”
There is no difference between “date rape” and rape. Rape is also not the only form of sexual assault. Most sexual assault survivors know the perpetrator. The definitions of sexual assault do not change just because the perpetrator was a non-stranger. Sexual assault can be committed by anyone, including a friend, acquaintance, family member, spouse, date, or stranger.
Often times, survivors may blame themselves because they were drinking or using drugs at the time of the assault. However, sexual assault is never the survivor’s fault, even if they were intoxicated when the assault took place.
Additionally, being drunk is never an excuse for committing criminal acts, including sexual assault.
Immunity/Amnesty: Both law enforcement and the University officials understand that being under the influence at the time of the assault may inhibit survivors from reporting. Any disclosure of voluntary use of drugs or alcohol by the survivor or the witness will not be used to punish the survivor or any witnesses.
Please visit the UC Davis Sexual Violence Website to learn more about the UCD policy on sexual assault