Words for Helping and Healing
ACUTE PHASE— During this phase of Rape Trauma Syndrome, the survivor experiences a complete disruption of their life, responding to the fear of death they experienced. Survivors may display any of a number of contrasting emotional responses. A survivor may cry, shout, swear, laugh nervously, be silent, discuss the weather, or sit calmly. Responses may vary depending on any one of a number of external and experiential circumstances. If a survivor uses the expressed style, they openly display their emotions. If a survivor uses the controlled style, they contain their emotions. No response is inappropriate. CONFIDENTIALITY—An agreement that the information that you share with someone will not be shared with others without your permission. Many hotlines, counseling and crisis centers ensure confidentiality. There are some instances where confidentiality can not be ensured, such as in the case of abuse of a minor, threat of harm to self or others, or the subpoena of records to a court.
CONSENT—Saying "yes" to engaging in a particular act. Consent does not occur when one person says no, says nothing, is coerced, is physically forced, is mentally or physically helpless, is intoxicated, is under the influence of drugs, is unconscious, or any time that consent is not explicitly given. Having given consent on a previous occasion does not mean that a person has consented for any future encounter. The definition of consent for minors is even more limited.
COUNSELING—A guided exploration of your feelings and behaviors and their roots. Professional counselors can be psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and licensed counselors, among other identifications. Often you can find counseling that is specified to a particular need, such as sexual assault, emotional abuse, or substance addiction.
CRISIS CENTER—A center that provides crisis intervention services, typically geared toward victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. The services provided by crisis centers vary but may include shelter (usually temporary and/or with stipulations), an intervention hotline, support for secondary survivors, survivor support groups, educational programs for members of the local community, legal, medical and counseling advocacy, and referrals to community services. For a crisis center near you, visit http://www.rainn.org/counseling.html.
DEFENSE MECHANISMS—An unconscious way of dealing with difficult situations. Some examples of defense mechanisms include avoidance, displacement, denial, eating disorders, and repression.
DISPLACEMENT—A defense mechanism where a difficult feeling is transferred to something that is easier to deal with. For instance if you are angry and hurting due to being sexually assaulted you may displace these feelings onto something easier to deal with, such as being angry.
FLASHBACKS—Vivid images that may include sensations of smell, sound, touch, or taste that can appear without apparent cause. The images may be of a person's assault or abuse directly, or they could be images of objects and/or people related to the assault or abuse, such as a wallpaper pattern, a room, a color, etc.
GOOD TOUCH/BAD TOUCH —A program for children that teaches them the difference between good touches, bad touches, and inappropriate sexual touches (confusing touch).
HETEROSEXISM—The assumption that everyone is heterosexual or the assumption that only heterosexuality is the "norm." It is important for GLBTQ survivors to find a non-heterosexist support system in their healing process.
HOMOPHOBIA—The fear of people of non-heterosexual sexual orientations. Homophobia can be seen as an underlying factor to many cultural rape myths and societal gender roles that perpetuate sexual assault.
HOTLINE—A telephone number that you can call to discuss a particular issue. Typically hotlines are geared towards a certain issued, such as concerns about sexual assault, domestic violence, drugs and alcohol, or harassment. To find hotline numbers, see our Crisis Centers page.
INSIGHT—A sudden realization, discovery, or recognition of something that you did not know or understand before. Many survivors have insights about their assault or abuse long after its occurrence. An example of an insight would be realizing that being raped was not your fault and being able to place blame on the offender.
RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME—A cluster of emotional responses to the extreme stress experienced by the survivor during the sexual assault. Rape Trauma Syndrome is expressed in two distinct phases - the acute phase and the reorganization phase.
REORGANIZATION PHASE—During the second phase of Rape Trauma Syndrome, the survivor reorganizes herself/himself and their life after the sexual assault. Basically, they learn to cope again. Social, psychological, sexual and physical concerns all affect the survivor’s ability to reorganize her/his life after an assault.
REPRESSION—A defense mechanism that involves blocking out traumatic memories or feelings, unconsciously, because you are not able or willing to deal with them.
SECONDARY SURVIVOR—Anyone who has an important person in their life that has been the victim or survivor of physical, mental or emotional abuse, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or incest. For information for secondary survivors, please visit the About Sexual Assault Survivors page.
SUPPORT GROUP—A small group of people who gather to discuss a specific topic and its relation to their lives. Support groups are often mediated by counselors, but do not have to be. Examples of support groups include 'men who have been sexually assaulted' or 'young women with eating disorders' or 'sober gay youth.'
SURVIVOR—A term often used for someone who has been through an experience of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, incest or abuse. The term "survivor" is often used instead of the term "victim" in order to reclaim power.
TRIGGERS—Specific objects, sensory images or thought that can lead to thoughts of an assault or abuse situation or to a flashback. If you are a survivor, realizing triggers can help you be more aware of when you are in a situation that may lead to a flashback or traumatic memory.
VICTIM—A term for someone who has been through an assault or abuse experience. Victim is often used immediately after the occurrence of the assault or abuse and is always used when someone has died due to the assault or abuse.
Types of Assault and Abuse
The definitions of assault and abuse are compiled from many sources and are the general definitions used by many assault and abuse counseling and crisis intervention providers. The legal definition of these terms may vary from state to state.
ABUSE—Any type of treatment that is harmful, injurious, or threatening. There are many types of abuse including emotional, mental, physical, and sexual. Often more that one type of abuse occurs at one time or during one experience.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE—Any abuse that causes or intends to cause emotional damage. This can include name-calling, derogatory comments, insults, threats, and social isolation. Emotional abuse is often very damaging to the victim's self-esteem and can lead to a dependency on the abuser. Emotional abuse almost always includes blaming the victim for the abuse.
MENTAL ABUSE—A blanket term for emotional, intellectual or psychological abuse.
PHYSICAL ABUSE—Any physical injury, threat of injury, or threat of a situation that has a risk of physical harm, disfigurement, or death. Physical abuse can include hitting, kicking, biting, slapping, punching, and pushing. Physical abuse can also include such things as withholding access to medical treatment or necessities such as food or shelter.
SEXUAL ABUSE—Any abuse, whether physical or mental, that is sexual in nature. Sexual abuse can include rape, sexual harassment, forcible sodomy, exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual pressure or coercion, unwanted genital contact, inappropriate sexual comments, and forced object penetration, among others.
CONSENT—Saying "yes" to engaging in a particular act. Consent does not occur when one person says no, says nothing, is coerced, is physically forced, is mentally or physically helpless, is intoxicated, is under the influence of drugs, is unconscious, or any time that consent is not explicitly given. Having given consent on a previous occasion does not mean that a person has consented for any future encounter. The definition of consent for minors is even more limited.
CYCLE OF VIOLENCE—A typical pattern of relationship violence where the relationship moves from a "honeymoon" or calm phase into a tension-building phase into a crisis phase where battering occurs. Due to the continuous cycle, many abusers can persuade the abused to stay in the relationship by making up to them during the honeymoon phase.
DATING VIOLENCE—Any type of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse where the victim and the offender are in a dating relationship. Though this term often refers to physical violence, this term can mean any type of abusive dating relationship.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE—Used to refer to any type of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse where the offender and the victim live together. Typically the victim and the offender are involved in an intimate relationship as well.
EXHIBITIONISM—The act of exposing others to the sight of one's genitalia in a lewd or indecent manner. These offenders are often referred to as "flashers" or "streakers."
FORCIBLE SODOMY —Oral or anal sex without both people's consent.
HATE CRIME— Motivated by hatred, bias, or prejudice, based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity of another individual or group of individuals
HUMAN TRAFFICKING—includes all acts involved in the recruitment, abduction, transport, harboring, transfer, sale or receipt of persons. To report trafficking cases call the Department of Justice complaint line at 1-888-428-7581.
INCEST—Sexual contact between persons who are closely related by birth or marriage.
MALTREATMENT—A form of abuse against children, or anyone incapable or caring for themselves, that involves not responding to the physical and mental needs of the person. This can involve withholding or providing inadequate food, shelter, and medical care, as well as any type of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Maltreatment is also referred to as neglect or abuse.
MARITAL RAPE — Forced or nonconsensual sexual relations between marriage partners.
MOLESTATION—A word that means to annoy or to disturb, but has sexual connotations. Any unwanted touching of the breasts, genitals or buttocks, or with any intent to gratify or arouse the perpetrator.
PEDOPHILIA— A sexual preference for children, boys or girls or both, usually of prepubertal or early pubertal age
PROSTITUTION— The sale of sexual services, such as oral sex or sexual intercourse, for money.
RAPE —Slang term still used for the current legal term of sexual assault.
ACQUAINTANCE RAPE—Any rape where the victim knows the offender. Most studies show that the vast majority of rapes are acquaintance rapes, usually citing between 80-95%, as opposed to stranger rapes. Many people who are raped do not identify their experience as rape due to culture myths on sexual assault. Even if you know the offender, if you are forced to have sex, it is still rape.
DATE RAPE—Any rape where the victim knows the offender in a dating capacity. Even if you were on a date or had sex with them before, if you do not give consent, it is still rape.
DOMESTIC RAPE—A rape where the offender and the victim live together. Marital rape refers to rape where the offender and the victim are legally married. Though laws are changing, the legal system has often been of little protection for domestic partners and spouses who are raped.
GANG RAPE—A rape where there is more than one offender. Gang rapes usually are planned, involve drugs and/or alcohol, and involve physical assault. Gang rapes are often severely underreported to officials.
STATUTORY RAPE—Sexual relations with a child or a minor with their consent. The age and age differences for prosecuting statutory rape vary from state to state.
SEXUAL ASSAULT— Sexual assault is the current legal term that replaced the old narrow definition of rape. It is sexual intercourse by means of vaginal, oral, or anal penetration (however slight) with a person who has not given consent. The sexual contact may be made using a sex organ or object. Sexual assault may include force, threats, and/or intimidation.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT—A violation of a person's civil and constitutional rights that can be physical, verbal or non-verbal. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can take the form of gender harassment, seductive behavior, sexual bribery, and sexual coercion or pressure. Sexual harassment can happen in private or public settings, but is often used to refer to the workplace. If you are being sexually harassed, find support and contact a professional or crisis center in your area to find out what steps to take.
STALKING—A type of assault where the offender is continuously entering the victim's life without permission, either in person, on the telephone, on the internet, at home, at work, or in multiple capacities. If you are being stalked, keep a log of what has occurred and when, contact the authorities and seek assistance.
VOYEURISM—Looking at someone in an inappropriate or lewd manner, usually when sight of the private parts of their body are exposed.
Legal Terms
The legal terms provided on this site are a general overview of terms that may be used in the legal system. The correct usage of these terms varies depending on the legal system and the state you are in.
DEFENDANT—The label given to the offender or perpetrator in the legal system. In a trial, the offender would be called the defendant because they are the one who is being prosecuted by the state.
MANDATORY REPORTING—A law that requires that a person's knowledge of an abuse be reported to the authorities. Mandatory reporting is usually only applicable to children and youth under the age of majority. The specifications for mandatory reporting vary from state to state and with the situation.
OFFENDER/PERPETRATOR—The person who commits a sexual assault or is the person who commits abuse on another person.
RAPE SHIELD LAW—A variety of this law exists in most states. It says essentially what the laws have always said-that evidence which is not relevant or material to the case is inadmissible. These laws are to keep information that is unrelated to the case out of courts when sexual assault and abuse trials are being conducted, such as reputation or opinion evidence on a victim's previous sexual experience. Prior sexual conduct evidence is admissible if it has a direct relationship to the physical evidence.
RESTRAINING ORDER—An order from a court directing one person not to do something, such as make contact with another person, enter the family home or remove a child from the state. Restraining orders are typically issued in cases in which spousal abuse or stalking is feared -- or has occurred -- in an attempt to ensure the victim's safety.
REVICTIMIZATION—The process of "reliving" an assault or abuse in a negative way by having to retell it or answer questions about it to others. Sometimes survivors feel that they are revictimized during criminal procedures, but this feeling can be lessened if you have a victim advocate or a community volunteer with you.
S.A.N.E.—Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, a tern used to describe the specially trained nurse examiner who offer victims prompt, compassionate care and comprehensive forensic evidence collection. In addition to helping preserve the victim's dignity and reduce psychological trauma, SANE programs are enhancing evidence collection for more effective investigations and better prosecutions.
SEXUAL ASSAULT UNIT (S.A.U)—Detective unit that investigates sexual assault crimes and prepares and presents cases for review and prosecution by the District Attorney's Office.
S.A.R.T.—Sexual Assault Response Team, a term used to describe all of the professionals and volunteers who are involved in the care of a victim after a sexual assault. The S.A.R.T. team can include medical and nursing staff, law enforcement, social workers, mental health professionals, the judicial system, forensic scientists, counselors and community volunteers. Many people in the S.A.R.T. may never have contact with the victim, but play very important roles.
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY—An online and/or print registry of sex offenders. Registries are established within states and an offender is usually required to register after they have been convicted and have served their sentence for a sex crime. To find your state's sex offender registry search your state government website.
VICTIM—A term for someone who has been through an assault or abuse experience. Victim is often used directly after the occurrence of the assault or abuse and is always used when someone has died due to the assault or abuse.
VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT—A statement in a criminal trial that identifies the victim of a crime, the physical, emotional, economical and medical pain and loss suffered by the victim, services required by the victim and any other information related. Many states allow for the inclusion of a victim impact statement in the proceedings that is kept confidential and sealed after sentencing.
VICTIM/WITNESS ADVOCATE—Someone whose job is to work with victim and witnesses of crimes to ensure that they are giving the rights that they are entitled to. If you are a victim or witness of a crime, find out if there is a professional advocate in the judicial system of your area.
WITNESS—Someone who was present during the committing of a crime. In some cases and in some jurisdictions the term "witness" can be used to describe the "victim" of the crime. This is because some crimes are considered "crimes against the state" and thus the victim is considered a witness to a crime against the state. If you are the victim of a crime and hear someone refer to you or someone in similar circumstances as the "witness" it does not mean that you were not victimized.
Medical Terminology
ANOSCOPY—A medical procedure that involves the examination of the anus and lower rectum, using a special speculum. This may be conducted after a sexual assault, especially if it involved forced anal penetration.
BUCCAL SWAB —Used to collect DNA samples by stroking the inner facial cheek with swabs similar to cotton tipped applicator sticks.
COLPOSCOPY— A medical procedure that involves examination of the cervix and the vagina using a colposcope. This may be conducted after a sexual assault, especially if it involved forced vaginal penetration.
CULTURE—A medical test that may be conducted after a sexual assault in which swabs are taken from different parts of the body, a slide is smeared with the swab and evidence is examined.
"DATE RAPE" DRUGS—Drugs used to facilitate rape. These drugs are usually slipped into someone's drink without his/her knowledge and the person becomes unconscious after ingesting them. The most common "date rape" drugs are Rohypnol (slang: Ruffies, Roches, Roofies) and GHB (slang: Liquid X, Liquid Ecstasy, Vita-G). To reduce your risk of "date rape" drugs do not leave your drink unattended, do not accept drinks from anyone, avoid drinks that are bright blue or murky in color or have an unusual taste, and drink responsibly. If you have to leave your drink for any reason, do not resume drinking from it. Get a fresh drink. If you think you were the victim of a "date rape" drug, go to the emergency room as soon as possible, do not urinate as the drugs are quickly processed and expelled, and bring the drink with you if possible.
Emergency Contraception —More commonly known as the "morning after pill." It consists of two large doses of hormones that will prevent or delay the release of an egg from the ovary if given prior to ovulation. If post-ovulation, the pill will prevent the egg from traveling down the fallopian tubes and implanting in the uterus. They are not a method of preventing STI and HIV transmission. To learn more call the Emergency Contraception Hotline at 1-888-NOT-2-LATE or visit online at www.not-2-late.com.
HIV TESTING—Testing for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can be done directly after a sexual assault, but this will not tell you if you have contracted HIV during the assault. If you are tested soon after the assault, this will tell you whether you have been infected in the past and if you get re-tested six months after the assault, which will tell you if you have been infected since your last test.
LIGHT STAINING MICROSCOPE—Used by SANE nurse to document motile sperm. Can substantiate victim’s story if ejaculation took place during assault.
OMNI LIGHT—Used in evidence identification and collection. A test that is performed in a dark room where ultraviolet light is shined on the area of interest. The light will provide the SANE nurse with the ability to document bruising before it surfaces to the skin, as well as illuminate semen, saliva, urine and fibers on the victim.
RAPE “KIT” EXAM—A medical exam performed to collect forensic evidence after a sexual assault. This exam is similar to a pelvic exam performed by a gynecologist.
SEXUAL ASSAULT KIT—Used to collect medical evidence of a sexual assault. Varies from state to state, but will contain permission for evidence collection and photographs during the exam; patient history; debris collection; underwear; oral swabs; saliva sample; blood samples; clothing; vagina and/or anal swabs; and follow-up instructions.
TOLUIDINE BLUE DYE—Used to enhance injuries so they are more easily viewed by the naked eye. The dye is blue in color and adheres to the red blood cells of an open wound, outlining the injury.
WOODS LAMP—Used in evidence identification and collection when an Omni Light is not available. A test that is performed in a dark room where ultraviolet light is shined on the area of interest. The light will provide the SANE nurse with the ability to document bruising before it surfaces to the skin, as well as illuminate semen, saliva, urine and fibers on the victim.