Key Terms

acid attack

premeditated attack in which acid is thrown on someone to torment, hurt, burn, and disfigure them

acquaintance rape

(also: date rape) occurs between two people who know one another

age-related rape

also known as statutory rape; occurs when one sexual partner is below the age of consent, determined by each state

aggravated rape

rape that includes the threat of death or bodily harm

date rape

(also: acquaintance rape) occurs between two people who know one another

diminished capacity rape

occurs when the victim cannot consent to a sexual act because of physical or intellectual disability or intoxication

domestic violence

form of abuse that occurs within a family or household; can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse

financial abuse

exploitation or misuse of a person’s financial resources, often by a trusted person, such as a family member or caregiver

hate crime

criminal offense motivated by prejudice or bias against an individual or group based on their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristic

honor killing

killing of a family member who has brought shame on the family

incest

rape of a close family member (e.g., parent and child, uncle and niece or nephew, etc.)

intimate partner rape

occurs when a partner or previous partner sexually assaults the other partner

physical abuse

any use of force or violence to cause physical harm, such as hitting, kicking, or choking

psychologic abuse

abuse that can include harassment; verbal abuse such as name-calling, degradation, and blaming; threats; stalking; and isolation

rape

any vaginal or anal penetration, or oral penetration by a sex organ without consent

sexual abuse

(also: sexual assault) any unwanted sexual behavior, such as touching, groping, or rape, that violates a person’s bodily autonomy and consent

sexual assault

(also: sexual abuse) any unwanted sexual behavior, such as touching, groping, or rape, that violates a person’s bodily autonomy and consent

sexual violence

continuum of sexual activity that covers unwanted kissing, touching, or fondling; sexual coercion; rape; and control of the outcome of a pregnancy and the forbidding of sterilization or reproductive health services

violence against women

any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life