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\u201cSexual assault is the use of force, coercion, or an imbalance of power to make a person engage in sexual activity without their consent. Sexual assault is sometimes called sexual abuse.\u201d \u2013 Planned Parenthood<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include: attempted rape, fondling or unwanted sexual touching, forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator\u2019s body, and\/or penetration of the victim\u2019s body, also known as rape.\u201d \u2013 Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSexual violence happens in every community and affects people of all genders and ages. Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact. This includes words and actions of a sexual nature against a person\u2019s will and without their consent. A person may use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence.\u201d \u2013 National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSexual Assault\u00a0refers to any type of sexual activity that lacks consent. This includes unwanted sexual touching, nonconsensual sex or rape, attempted rape, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment.\u201d \u2013 University of Washington<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSexual consent is an agreement to participate in a sexual activity.\u201d \u2013 Planned Parenthood<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cConsent, by definition, means permission for something to happen or agreement to do something. Consent is more than yes or no. It is a dialogue about desires, needs, and level of comfort with different sexual interactions. Healthy sexual interactions are rooted in consent and respect.\u201d \u2013 NSVRC<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cConsent is an active process of willingly choosing to participate in sex of any kind.\u201d \u2013 University of Washington<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): \u201ca pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners\u201d \u2013 Schechter, S., & Ganley, Anne L. (1995). Domestic violence : A national curriculum for family preservation practitioners (pp. 10). San Francisco: Family Violence Prevention Fund<\/p>\n Bent-Goodley article offers, \u201cwomen of color who are experiencing IPV may not be able to obtain the necessary medical care for fear of revealing the violence (Lee et al., 2002). The perpetrator may discourage or prevent the survivor from obtaining medical treatment. Or the women may lack the necessary control of their finances to put money toward medical services. The stress of the violence and impending abuse may exacerbate health issues. Women experiencing IPV are less likely to negotiate using condoms for fear of greater abuse, placing them in a position of enhanced risk for contracting the virus.\u201d<\/p>\n Raliance is a national partnership dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation. The advancement of preventive initiatives all industries relies on Raliance\u2019s awarding grants, facilitating research, influencing policy, and helping leaders establish safe environments and strong communities.<\/p>\n To learn more about Raliance overall, click here<\/a> and the partnership\u2019s solutions to addressing sexual assault click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities and service providers achieve real and lasting change. The center also works with the media to promote informed reporting.<\/p>\n Every April, NSVRC leads Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a campaign to educate and engage the public in addressing this widespread issue. NSVRC is also one of the three founding organizations of Raliance, a national, collaborative initiative dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation.<\/p>\n To learn more about NSVRC, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s NSVRC campaign theme, I Ask, champions the message that asking for consent is a healthy, normal, and necessary part of everyday interactions.<\/p>\n Click here to learn more about I Ask<\/a>.<\/p>\n RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization which created and currently operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with over 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the United States. RAINN also operates the United States Department of Defense Safe Helpline. RAINN runs programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.<\/p>\n In 25 years, RAINN has helped 3 million survivors and their loved ones.<\/p>\n To learn more about RAINN, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline is 800-656-HOPE (4673). To learn more about how it works, if it can help you or someone you know, and the hotline’s confidentiality, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat is consent?<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\u201cConsent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity.\u201d \u2013 RAINN<\/a><\/p>\nHow are sexual assault and healthcare equity related?<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Dr. Tricia Bent-Goodley \u2013 Professor and Director of the School of Social Work at Howard University composed an article in Trauma, Violence, and Abuse<\/a> entitled Health Disparities and Violence against Women, Why and How Cultural and Societal Influences Matters<\/a>\u00a0where she discusses intimate partner violence \u2013 one of many forms of sexual assault \u2013 and how it relates to healthcare equity.<\/p>\n
\nRaliance<\/strong><\/h1>\n
National Sexual Violence Resource Center<\/h1>\n
NSVRC’s I Ask Campaign<\/h3>\n
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)<\/h1>\n
\nUniversity of Washington Resources<\/h1>\n
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The University of Washington offers informational resources reflective of the university\u2019s commitment to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct \u2013 including sexual assault, relationship violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual harassment.<\/p>\n