Every year, about 463,634 of American become victims of sexual assault.

When actions of sexual nature are forced into a person without consent, it is considered as sexual assault. Sexual assault comes in all forms and shapes and does not discriminate whether you are man or woman, and straight or queer.

What are the forms of sexual assault?

When a person makes sexual contact or takes advantage of someone without their consent, that person has just committed a sexual assault. Below are some examples of sexual assault that perpetrators may commit:

• Attempted rape

• Fondling or unwanted sexual touching

• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, like oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body

• Penetration of the victim’s body or simply, rape

These sexual abuses may result in lasting physical, mental and emotional scars to the victims.

What are the lasting effects of sexual assaults?

Survivors of sexual assault may forever bear a scar of their abuse. These are not limited to physical harm. In most cases, the emotional and psychological effects of the sexual abuse lasts more.

Those who experience sexual assault may experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and even flashbacks of their assault. Some develop sleep disorders and

Due to this, some survivors use negative coping mechanisms to endure their day to day lives. Some turn to substance abuse and alcoholism just to bear their day to day lives.

How to get help?

Calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) is a great help for survivors. The hotline provides confidentiality to survivors and resources to help the survivors with medical or emotional support. There are also lots of online resources set up be sexual assault support organization for greater reach.

If one is planning to report or file a case against the perpetrators or abuser, the survivor may consult a sexual abuse lawyer to guide them with the legal process.