SEXUAL ASSAULT
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is a broad term that refers to any unwanted sexual contact or attention achieved by force, threats, manipulation, pressure, tricks, or violence.
Sexual assault is defined by Towson University as forcible sexual intercourse, sexual penetration, however slight, of another person’s genital or anal opening with any object, sodomy, or any unwanted touching of an unwilling person’s intimate parts or forcing an unwilling person to touch another’s intimate parts. Under this definition, these acts must be committed either by force, threat, intimidation, or through the use of the victim’s mental or physical helplessness, of which the accuser was or should have been aware. This includes, but is not limited to, victim helplessness resulting from intoxication or from the taking of a so-called “date-rape drug.”
What is acquaintance or "date" rape?
Acquaintance Rape refers to any unwanted sexual contact or attention achieved by force, threats, bribe, manipulation, pressure, tricks, or violence by someone the victim is acquainted with. This familiar person may be a spouse/partner or just someone the person may see around. Accounts for approximately 85% of all sexual assaults and is typically a planned attempt to have consensual sex.
Date Rape is only one form of acquaintance rape.
How can the Counseling Center help?
The Towson University Counseling Center can provide you with free and confidential individual or group counseling to help you deal with the assault, as well as help you get connected to other resources in the community.
Counseling for sexual assault can help by:
- Assisting you in understanding and working through your reactions to the assault.
- Enhancing your coping skills and ability to deal with the assault.
- Providing support throughout the legal and/or campus judicial decision making process.
- Minimize the potential long-term effects of sexual assault.
Counseling Center
Glen Esk
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Phone: 410-704-2512
E-mail: bjherman@towson.edu
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