Chomas, is there a difference between rape and sexual assault or are they one in the same? Here’s an explanation:

What is Rape?

Rape is when someone is forced to have sex. Forcing a body part or object into someone’s vagina, anus or mouth is also considered rape.

There are cases where the victim has been raped by someone they know, like a boyfriend or a girlfriend. This is known as date rape and is also a crime.

Date rape drugs have no smell or taste and can be given to you without you realising it and this normally takes place at parties or in a club – especially where alcohol is served. With the festive season approaching, it is vital to always have your drink with you, until you have finished drinking it. The date rape drug may make it hard for you to resist any unwanted sex because the drug relaxes your muscles so much that you physically can’t fight off anyone making sexual advances towards you.

Chomas, remember that even if you were drinking alcohol, rape is NEVER your fault. What is Sexual Assault? It is violating someone in a sexual way, without their consent or did not agree to. Sexual assault includes:

• Contact with the mouth of one person and the mouth of another person, for example, kissing someone without that person’s consent.
• Contact with the genitals, anus or breasts of another person.
• Contact with any other part of another person’s body in a way that causes the person to be sexually aroused.
• Contact with any object that looks like the genitals, anus or breasts, for example: sex toys like the vibrator.
• Contact with the genital organs or anus of an animal, also known as bestiality.
• Inserting an object that looks similar to human or animal genitals, like inserting a vibrator into a person’s mouth.
• Masturbating or performing oral sex on someone without their consent
• Direct or indirect contact between the genitals, anus or breasts of one person and another part of the body of another person, object or animal. For example, touching a woman’s anus without her agreeing to it.

There are other crimes related to sexual assault, namely: Compelled/Forced self-sexual assault This includes:

• Forcing someone to masturbate themselves.
• Forcing someone to act in a way that is sexually arousing or degrading.
• Forcing someone to penetrate their own genitals or anus, either with a finger or an object.
• There are similar sexual offences that are committed against adults or children and these include:
• Revealing genital organs, anus or female breasts to others without them agreeing to it.
• Forcing someone to watch self-masturbation, sex-acts, self-masturbation or sex crimes without their consent.

Compelled/Forced sexual assault

This is when a person forces another person to commit these acts on someone else.

It is important to note that rape is not about sex, it is an act of power. The decision of whether or not to report the rape is entirely up to the victim.

If you are currently in a situation where you are unclear whether a crime has been committed, don’t hesitate to contact Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust on the 24 hour crisis line – 021 447 9762 for any help or advice.