Sexual harassment and assault are serious matters that affect the health and well-being of people of all genders and ages worldwide. In this article, we review some important facts about sexual harassment, rape, and assault, including their legal definitions, how common they are, and the impact they have on victims.Â
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment is a form of discrimination and includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Two forms of sexual harassment it is important to be aware of include:Â
In sexual harassment, both the victim and the harasser can be of any gender, and the victim does not have to be of the opposite sex. The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, a co-worker, an employee in another office, a client, or a customer.Â
It should be noted that while Title VII only applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments, and certain other agencies and organizations, each state has its own laws under which sexual harassment is prohibited and sanctioned.Â
Sexual harassment and sexual assault are both forms of sexual misconduct, but they are distinct offenses. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual assault is defined as any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the consent of the victim.Â
It should be noted that whereas sexual harassment may be either a civil infraction or criminal act based on the level of severity of the misconduct, rape and other forms of sexual assault are always crimes. Rape and sexual assault are defined and criminalized under a variety of federal acts, including the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Military Rape Prevention and Response Act (MRAP), the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), and definitions include:Â
Rape is committing a sexual act upon another person by doing any of the following:
Sexual assault is defined as committing a sexual act upon another person by doing any of the following:
Sexual acts under any of the following conditions are also considered sexual assault:
In the United States, sexual assault is a common crime taking place nearly every minute.Â
Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 women and about 1 in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape. About 1 in 9 men were made to penetrate someone during his lifetime. And 1 in 3 women and about 1 in 9 men experienced sexual harassment in a public place.
Almost half of female rape survivors were first raped before age 18. About 4 in 10 male rape survivors were first made to penetrate as a minor.Â
The majority of sexual assault cases are never reported to law enforcement.Â
Survivors who do report sexual assaults list the following reasons for doing so:
Survivors list the following reasons for not reporting a sexual assault:
 According to some studies, the lifetime cost of rape is $122,461 per survivor, including medical costs, lost productivity, criminal justice activities, and other costs. Additionally, 81% of women and 35% of men report significant short-term or long-term impacts such as post-traumatic stress disorder.Â
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, harassment, or rape, it is likely that you have paid a terrible cost as a result of the crime you experienced. To this end, it is important that you understand that in addition to seeking justice through the criminal justice system, you may also pursue civil claims in order to pursue compensation and justice. You may be able to recover a variety of damages, including for:
If you believe you may have been the victim of sexual harassment or assault, it is highly recommended that you consult with a skilled attorney with extensive experience in pursuing sexual assault claims to review your options in getting the justice and compensation you deserve.