What is Sexual Assault?

If you believe that you have been raped or sexually assaulted please call the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living. We can discuss options and provide support.

Rape and sexual assault can take many different forms, however it is never the fault of the victim.

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault can include any kind of unwanted sexual contact. A person may use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion. to commit sexual violence.

Forms of sexual violence include:

Rape or sexual assault
Sexual assault by a spouse or partner
Child Sexual Assault and/or incest
Unwanted sexual contact/touching
Sexual exploitation and trafficking
Exposing one’s genitals to other(s) without consent
Public masturbation
Watching someone engage in private acts without knowledge or permission
Taking video or photography of sexual acts without someone’s knowledge or permission
Nonconsensual image sharing
Sexual harassment

Consent means that: both people are old enough to consent, have the capacity to consent and agreed to the sexual contact. Consent must be given freely and a person can change their mind at any time.

Are the participants old enough to consent?

Each state sets an age of consent, which is the minimum age someone must be to have sex. People below this age are considered children and cannot legally agree to have sex. In other words, even if the child or teenager says yes, the law says no.

In Alaska, the legal age of consent is 16 provided the older party is not in a position of authority. Generally, “I thought she was 18” is not considered a legal excuse — it’s up to you to make sure your partner is old enough to legally take part.

Did both participants have the capacity to consent?

States also define who has the mental and legal capacity to consent.

Those with diminished capacity — for example, some people with disabilities, some elderly people and people who have been drugged or are unconscious — may not have the legal ability to agree to have sex.

These categories and definitions vary widely by state, so it is important to call us and find out more about the laws in our state.

Common Questions

I didn't resist physically — does that mean it isn't rape?

People respond to an assault in different ways. Just because you didn’t resist physically doesn’t mean it wasn’t rape — in fact, many victims make the conscious decision that physical resistance would cause the attacker to become more violent. Lack of consent can be expressed (saying “no”) or it can be implied from the circumstances (for example, if you were under the statutory age of consent, if you were temporarily incapacitated, or if you were afraid to object because the perpetrator threatened to harm you or a loved one).

I used to date the person who assaulted me — does that mean it isn't rape?

Rape can occur when the offender and the victim have a pre-existing relationship (sometimes called “date rape” or “acquaintance rape”), or even when the offender is a victim’s spouse or partner. It does not matter whether the other person is an ex-lover or a complete stranger, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve had sex in the past. The majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim. Being in a relationship, or even a marriage, does not mean that sex is an obligation. Consent always matters.

I don't remember the assault — does that mean it isn't rape?

Just because you don’t remember being assaulted doesn’t necessarily mean it didn’t happen and that it wasn’t rape. Memory loss can result from the ingestion of GHB and other “rape drugs,” and/or from excessive alcohol consumption.

I was asleep or unconscious when it happened — does that mean it isn't rape?

If you were asleep or unconscious, then you didn’t give consent.

I was drunk or he was drunk — does that mean it isn't rape?

Alcohol and drugs are not an excuse — or an alibi. The key question is still: did you consent or not? Regardless of whether you were drunk or sober, if the sex is nonconsensual, it is rape. If you were unconscious due to drug or alcohol consumption, that means you were unable to give consent.

I thought "no," but didn't say it — does that mean it isn't rape?

Consent is Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific (FRIES). This means that if someone coerced you for sexual contact, refused to stop if you changed your mind, or performed sexual acts that were not priorly agreed to, it can still be explored as an incident of rape. Even if you didn’t say no out loud or fight back, lack of enthusiastic consent can still be explored as an incident of rape.

Please call us if you think you may have been sexually assaulted. An advocate can provide you with confidential support, options and resources.