Factsheets: Terms You Should Know

Adults sexually abused as children

Refers to adults with a past history of child sexual abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse

Use of a child for sexual gratification by another child or adult. May or may not involve physical contact (for example, taking pornographic pictures of children)

CVB reimbursement

The NYS Crime Victims Board will reimburse a victim for crime-related expenses including medical care. According to the Sexual Assault Reform Act of 2000, documentation of a medical/forensic examination in a hospital establishes eligibility for CVB compensation. For other crimes, a report must be made to law enforcement.

Date Rape

Forced sexual activity by someone known to the survivor. Also known as "Acquaintance Rape".

Date rape drug

Drugs used to facilitate a rape by rendering the victim incapable of refusing consent. These drugs include alcohol, Rohypnol ("roofies,") and GHB.

Domestic Violence

A pattern of behaviors used by one person in a relationship to dominate or control the other. Domestic violence can involve physical, sexual, emotional, economic and psychological abuse. Those involved can be married, cohabitating, dating, gay, straight, male or female. It can also occur in teen dating relationships.

Elder abuse

A broad term referring to the many forms of abuse against an elder/senior citizen, such as sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, financial exploitation and/or neglect.

Gang Rape

Forced or coerced sexual activities by two or more persons known or unknown to the victim.

Group Counseling

Takes many forms. Short-term groups offered by NYC rape crisis programs are generally held once a week for 12 weeks and facilitated by a professional counselor. Long term or ongoing groups can meet one time per week or one time per month for a year or longer and are also facilitated by a professional. Contact individual programs for their current schedule/topics/times.

HIV Prophylaxis

Treatment given to prevent HIV infection immediately after a sexual assault. It is most effective when taken within 24 hours of exposure.

Hotline

A telephone number that a victim of sexual assault can call for immediate help or information. Generally speaking, hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week although there are some that do not.

Incest

Sexual activity between family members or someone who may not be a related family member but is seen as part of the family.

Marital Rape

Forced sexual activity in a marital relationship. In New York State a person can be prosecuted for the rape of a spouse.

Medical / Forensic Examinations

The examination provided after a sexual assault that includes treatment and documentation of injuries, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, provision of prophylactic medication and collection of forensic evidence. Evidence is only collected within 72 hours of the assault. Medical care is always appropriate. If a survivor is unsure about whether to obtain medical care, he or she should call the nearest rape crisis program for assistance.

Non-Offending Parents

Refers to the parent that did not commit the crime against their child. This term is generally used in cases of child abuse or sexual abuse.

Partner Rape

Forced or coerced sexual activities within a live-in relationship.

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A term used to describe the reactions that one may have to a life-threatening event of which rape is one. These reactions can include but are not limited to flashbacks, nightmares, problems with sleeping, changes in appetite, etc.

Rape Crisis Counselors

Sometimes called Advocates. Trained NYS Department of Health (DOH) certified counselors from DOH-approved hospital-based rape crisis programs. They provide emotional support to and advocacy for the victim of a sexual assault and their significant others within the emergency room.

Rape or Sexual Assault

The broad, non-legal definition of rape is sexual intercourse that is committed without one's consent. It generally refers to the use of force or threat of force to penetrate the anus, vagina, or mouth. Other body parts and objects may be used as well.

Ritual Abuse

Repeated abuse which occurs in a precise and distinctive manner that remains constant. Sometimes involves repeated ceremonial acts which include various forms of sexual and/or physical abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual assault, physical/verbal molestation and/or fondling. Often occurs over a prolonged period of time, but can also be a one-time incident.

Sexual Assault Examiner

Sometimes called sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE), or sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFE). Specially trained nurses, physicians, or physician assistants who provide medical/forensic care after a rape.

Sexual Exploitation by Service Providers

Inappropriate sexual conversations, dating, or suggestions of sexual involvement by service providers (medical, legal, mental help therapists, clergy, counselors, teachers, etc).

Sexual Harassment

Unwanted behaviors such as suggestive comments about one’s appearance, touching or other physical contact, sexual jokes or comments, sexual advances or exposure to sexually explicit materials. (Definition provided by Women's Rights At Work.)

Sodomy

Applies to forced oral-genital, oral-anal or genital-anal contact. It is the legal definition for criminal sexual contact that does not fit the legal definition of rape, which includes only penis to vagina. The general terms “rape” and “sexual assault” are more appropriate when talking to a survivor, regardless of the specific nature of the assault.

Statutory Rape

Occurs when sexual contact between two or more persons involves one who is unable to consent under New York State Law because of his or her age. Age difference between accused and victim effects the degree of the offense. There must be at least four years of age between the victim and perpetrator for sexual contact to be considered a crime. No contact is allowed with children under 13 years old.

Stranger Rape

Forced sexual activities by a person or persons unknown to the victim.

Transgender

A term used to describe anyone who bends or challenges "traditional" gender roles. This includes gay cross dressers, straight cross dressers, pre- and post-operative transsexuals, drag queens and kings, transgenderists and androgynes.