What is Sexual Assault?

Defining Sexual Assault can be very difficult.  Here is a list of many different published definitions of what Sexual Assault is:

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary:
: "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 (as a family friend) in a position of trust or authority"


Dictionary.com:
"a statutory offense that provides that it is a crime to knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act byforce or threat; "most states have replaced the common lawdefinition of rape with statutes defining sexual assault"


Oxford Dictionary:
"sexual assault not found in this dictionary"


Urban Dictionary:

"Any act consisting of physical contact of a sexual nature without consent. This can include touching, groping, licking, oral sex, or sexual intercourse. Also according to many state laws any of these acts committed while one or more parties is under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or loss of consciousness can be classified as sexual assault, as these factors inhibit ones decision making ability, and therefore consent cannot be established. Sexual assault can be male on female, male on male, female on male, or female on female." Macmillandictionary: Sorry, no search result for sexual assault. TheFreeDictionary.com: "Conduct of a sexual or indecent nature toward another person that is accompanied by actual or threatened physical force or that induces fear, shame, or mental suffering." As you can see defining Sexual Assault can be very hard to do when academic sources all vary their definitions.  RAINN definition: Rape is forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, or oral penetration. Penetration may be by a body part or an object. Sexual assault is unwanted sexual contact that stops short of rape or attempted rape. This includes sexual touching and fondling. (But, be aware: Some states use this term interchangeably with rape.) The Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico (RCCCNM) definition: Rape is defined as unwanted penetration, whether that is oral, anal, or vaginal. Sexual assault refers to any unwanted sexual contact, including fondling and molestation. Even within non-profit organizations and  advocacy organizations, there are differences in definitions and understandings of the term "sexual assault."  Many organizations use sexual assault and rape interchangeably.  -Sam Bentson and Emily Edwards