The existence of sexual abuse and assault is unfortunately a reality even today. It is not uncommon for us to see the occurrence of a case through the news or read in a newspaper.
When we talk about these phenomena, we often use terms such as sexual abuse or rape interchangeably, using them as synonyms. However, in reality, both concepts do not necessarily imply the same thing. In this article we are going to see what they are the main differences between rape and sexual abuse
Both rape and sexual abuse They are both sexual crimes classified and punishable by law which can cause their victims great harm and physical and psychological consequences, temporary or permanent.
In both cases it is observed sexual type behaviors and aggressive that are carried out without the consent of one of the parties. The psychological effects of experiencing these types of acts are wide-ranging over time.
This happens in both cases, can generate feelings of helplessness (the victim has been attacked or someone they trusted has taken advantage of them), decreased self-esteem and can even generate disorders such as post-traumatic stress, personality changes, distrust and suspicion towards others, alterations in emotional bonding and sexuality, anxiety or depression or suicide attempts, among others.
While rape could be considered a type of sexual abuse, and is often identified as such, there are differences. In fact, the truth is that it is generally not identified as such but rather as sexual assault. To see the differences more clearly, it is first necessary to define each of the terms.
Rape
It is understood as rape the performance of intercourse or sexual act carried out by force or intimidation one of the parties involved not consenting or not having the means to be able to consent (for example, due to having been given drugs or being in an altered state of consciousness).
Furthermore, the concept of rape assumes the existence of penetration, this may be vaginal, anal or oral. In the first two, it is not necessary for the aggressor to use the genitals, and it is also rape when it is penetrated with other parts of the body or even objects.
Rape generally occurs through the use of violence, being an act of sexual assault. in which physical contact occurs The attacker’s objective may be multiple, not requiring that it be to obtain sexual gratification. In fact, the aggressor often seeks to satisfy her need for power independently, using sex as an element of domination of the victim.
sexual abuse
Sexual abuse refers to any act carried out by one or more people and that involves the limitation of sexual freedom of another or others without the latter consenting or being able/having the capacity to consent. As abuse, it requires the attacking party to make use of some characteristic, power or situation that puts their victim at a disadvantage. Physical violence is not used (in which case we would be dealing with sexual assault), but the abuser uses manipulation, deception, surprise or even coercion to achieve your goals.
There are multiple acts that constitute sexual abuse: touching, masturbation, harassment, forcing someone to observe activities of a sexual nature or forcing the victim to show their body using a position of superiority are examples of this. The most prototypical is touching. Some paraphilias such as frotism or exhibitionism could be considered as such.
Also included as sexual abuse is the fact of carry out forced activities or against the will of the affected party even when you have agreed to have sexual relations voluntarily. For example, stealthing would be classified and punished as sexual abuse.
Main differences between rape and sexual abuse
Although related, sexual abuse and rape do not imply the same thing, there are some key differences between them. Some of them are highlighted below.
The main difference that distinguishes both concepts is the presence or absence of physical violence and intimidation understanding physical violence as actions aimed at preventing the other person’s movements or causing pain and wounds.
In sexual abuse physical force or violence is not necessarily used to subdue the abused person (although it may appear in some cases). For example, persuasion or ignorance of what is happening can be used (this is what happens in most cases of sexual abuse of children or those of disabled people).
However, in the case of rape, as sexual assault, the use of force, intimidation or the use of substances that put the victim in a vulnerable situation by not being able to consent or refuse or that decrease their state of consciousness.
2. Existence of forced penetration
In addition to whether violence appears or not, one of the main characteristics of rape is that it necessarily includes forced or induced penetration or carnal access (whether with parts of the body or objects). against the will of the attacked party
In sexual abuse, however, it is not necessary that there be penetration. As we have already said, any act that restricts sexual freedom through means other than physical violence is considered as such, and it is not essential that there be physical contact between both subjects or that if it occurs, it is carried out with the intention to consummate the sexual act.
However, it must be taken into account that sexual relations can be maintained and be considered abuse if what is involved is not violence. but the manipulation or taking advantage of superiority as in statutory rape (in this case it is still considered abuse even if the victim is conscious).
3. Perception of the facts
Another clear difference occurs in the perception of the events by the victims. The rape victim is almost always aware of what is happening and that she has suffered an attack from the moment it occurs (unless we are talking about a case in which consciousness-altering substances have been used). Although in many cases they do not do so out of fear or other circumstances, They are usually aware that they have been victims of a crime and that they should report it or explain it to someone.
However, although in many cases of sexual abuse the victim is aware of being abused, in many others they may not be.
It is also possible that it is not initially experienced as something adverse, not knowing what it implies or the seriousness of the events. That is precisely what happens in some cases of sexual abuse of minors in which initially the minor may believe that it is a secret game between the abuser and him, not being aware of what really happened until much later.
4. Penalties imposed
Both types of crime are serious and punishable by law, but generally we find that acts of sexual assault are punished more than those of abuse For example, rape is punishable by sentences of between six and twelve years in prison (extendable if certain aggravating circumstances occur).
In sexual abuse the penalty to apply will vary enormously depending on the type of act performed. In the event that there is a sexual act or some type of penetration, the penalties will range between four and ten years.
Violence through domination and sex
It should be noted that both rape and sexual abuse can be understood as the result of serious behavioral problems and adaptation to society, which relates these actions to paraphilia. Attackers are people who express their violent impulses and their quest for domination of others through violence and manipulation.
However, That does not mean that its causes are neurological: Many times, these disorders appear as a consequence of a poor socialization process.
