Definitions
This term describes touching a person in a sexual manner without their permission.
What is sexual battery?
This umbrella term covers rape, statutory rape, sexual battery, and certain sexual harassment.
What is sexual assault?
This type of local organization offers survivors free, confidential support, advocacy, and crisis counseling after an assault.
What is a rape crisis center?
True or False: Healing and recovery from sexual abuse can begin at any point in a survivor's life, even decades later.
What is True?
This free, confidential 3-digit number connects callers to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
What is 988?
This manipulative tactic involves an adult building a child's trust in order to coerce them into sexual activity.
What is grooming?
These substances, sometimes called "date rape drugs," can be slipped into a drink to incapacitate a victim.
What are sedatives (e.g. GHB, Rohypnol)?
This type of skills training helps a person confidently set and communicate personal boundaries in relationships.
What is assertiveness training?
Working with a counselor who has this specialized background in trauma helps survivors process abuse safely and effectively.
What is a trauma-informed therapist?
This is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
What is RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)?
Sexual contact with someone under the legal age of consent is called this.
What is statutory rape?
This mental health condition, marked by flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance, can develop after a traumatic experience like sexual abuse.
What is PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)?
No matter what a victim wore, drank, or said, this person always bears full responsibility for an assault: the perpetrator.
Who is the offender (the perpetrator)?
Connecting with others who share similar experiences, like RAINN's online forums or local groups, reduces isolation and builds this kind of network.
What is a support group (peer support)?
Call or text this free, confidential RAINN helpline number to be connected with support 24/7: 800-656-4673.
What is the National Sexual Assault Hotline?
This term describes a trauma response where a person mentally "removes" themselves from, or represses memories of, a traumatic event.
What is dissociation?
Survivors often wrongly feel this emotion, believing the abuse was somehow their fault, even though responsibility always lies with the abuser.
What is shame (or guilt)?
This viral animated video uses a simple beverage analogy to explain why consent must be freely and clearly given every time.
What is "Tea and Consent"?
Learning to rebuild trust and healthy communication in relationships is an important part of recovery, involving these types of skills.
What are interpersonal (relationship) skills?
This organization provides support, information, and resources specifically for men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault.
What is MaleSurvivor?
Sexual abuse that occurs between family members or relatives is called this.
What is incest?
Fear, family loyalty, and shame often create this pattern, where abuse goes unspoken and unreported within families or communities.
What is a "conspiracy of silence"?
This kind of consent must be freely, actively, and enthusiastically given, not just the absence of a "no."
What is enthusiastic consent?
Practicing this technique, like deep breathing, grounding, or mindfulness, helps survivors calm their nervous system when triggered.
What is a coping (self-regulation) skill?
This 12-step-based fellowship offers meetings and community specifically for survivors of childhood sexual abuse within the family.
What is SIA (Survivors of Incest Anonymous)?