Sexual assault

This Educational Bulletin was developed under the direction of the Committee on Educational Bulletins of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as an aid to obstetricians and gynecologists. The College wishes to thank Mortan A. Stenchever, MD, and Diane H. Stenchever, MSW, for their assistance in the development of this bulletin. This document is not to be construed as establishing a standard of practice or dictating an exclusive course of treatment. Rather, it is intended as an educational tool that presents current information on obstetric-gynecologic issues. Sexual assault may be defined as any sexual act performed by one person on another without the person's consent, although legal definitions vary from state to state. Sexual assault includes genital, anal, or oral penetration by a part of the accused's body or by an object. It may result from force, the threat of force either on the victim or another person, or the victim' s inability to give appropriate consent. While the actual incidence of sexual assault in the United States is not known, it appears to be rising. Although most definitions center on forced carnal knowledge without consent of a woman by a man, newer definitions are often gender neutral.