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So what is Sexual Violence?

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Sexual violence is any sexual contact without consent. This includes: fondling, molestation, oral sex, incest, or rape. There are also forms of sexual violence that don't involve touch: introduction to pornography, lewd telephone calls, voyeurism, or exhibitionism.

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  • Incest is any sexual contact between relatives.

  • Molestation is sexual acts done to children younger than 18. It can include: touching and exposure of private parts, taking pornographic pictures, sexual acts with the molester or other children, but does not result in rape. It may occur just once or repeatedly.

  • Rape is penetration of the vagina or penis by a body part or object without the victim's consent.

  • Exhibitionism is publicly displaying one's genitals. And voyeurism is sexual pleasure from watching others when they are naked or engaged in sexual activity.

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Often the terms sexual violence and sexual assault are used interchangeably.

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