Sexual violence is a social evil and is prevalent almost everywhere. In a recent analysis by National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), the majority of both men and women faced some sexual violence at least once in their lifetimes.
However, the nature of sexual violence is slightly different in the case of men and women. Women mostly face sexual violence from the people they know, but in the case of male sexual victims, the culprits are mostly strangers.
Depending upon the nature of the physical assault, a victim needs to contact a sexual assault lawyer immediately following such an incident.
Even after the enactment of strict laws to protect rape victims and encourage them to come out and seek justice, the US continues to report the highest number of rape cases in the world.
Sexual Assault Cases in the US: A Perspective
- One in three girls has to go through sexual trauma even before they complete 18.
- One in four male victims also complained of sexual assault before attaining 18.
- One in four girl victims faces molestation or misconduct while pursuing their undergraduate studies at a college or university.
- Several cases of marital rape still go unreported, although it was criminalized in 1993.
Rape law reforms have helped change the narrative from the victim to the offender. A slew of reforms took place in 1970 to late 80s era, which made it legal for sexual assault victims to disclose details about their past sexual history. It comes under rape shield laws.
Earlier, any rape victim had to explain their previous sexual history to the attorney for legal help. It led to unnecessary delays in filing the lawsuit, apart from the character assassination of the victims. As a result, most rape victims stayed mum and didn’t seek legal remedy.
The Changing Dimension of Sexual Assault-related Cases
These days, revenge porn is prevalent. When a person distributes sexually explicit content (videos and/ or images) of another person without their consent, it comes under revenge porn.
People indulge in revenge porn to emotionally harm the victim or indulge in blackmailing to take money or harass them.
As many as 42 states within the US have criminalized revenge porn, and many remaining states may also criminalize it soon.
Rape or attempted rape is a serious crime. It comes under sexual assault, and any person who indulges in sexual intercourse without the consent of another person is liable to be incarcerated if proved guilty.
Marital rape and forcing another person to perform anal or oral sex are also crimes and need immediate action against the culprit or the offenders.
Non-contact sexual assault may include instances when a person doesn’t get into physical contact but still forces someone to pose in sexual positions or transmit sexually-charged threats. Voyeurism and exhibitionism come under non-contact sexual assault, and the offender can get arrested for it.
In Conclusion
Sexual assault cases can be tricky. Consent is a must for any sexual activity. Both adult persons (only 18+) must have mutual consent before indulging in such acts.