Sexual assault

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual behaviour or activity that makes the victim feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened. It is sexual activity that the person has not consented to and refers to a broad range of sexual behaviours, including the use or threat of violence to force another person to engage in a sexual activity against their will. Sexual assault is a serious crime, commonly committed by men against women and children. Approximately 25 per cent of Australian women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes. In most cases, the woman knows the perpetrator, with only 20 per cent of sexual assaults committed by strangers. Around half of all sexual assaults occur in the victim's home.

A common misconception is that sexual assault is motivated by desire; on the contrary, it is about power and violence. Men are also victims of sexual assault, but less frequently. According to the Victorian Victims of Crime Survey held in 1998, a woman is 10 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than a man.

The emotional impact

The terror, pain and humiliation suffered during a sexual assault can have dramatic short and long term consequences for the victim. The emotional effects may include:

* Fear, including fear of the offender.
* Anxiety and depression.
* Feelings of guilt, regret and self-blame.
* Low self-esteem.
* Broken trust in others.
* Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares and withdrawal from people and situations.
* Fear of men in general, especially if the victim is a woman.

The hidden crime

Sexual assault is vastly under-reported. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, of those women sexually assaulted in Victoria every year, only 15 per cent report the crime to the police. Of the 1,700 cases that made it to court, just 66 per cent led to a conviction. This means that, of all those committing sexual assaults in Victoria, less than five per cent face legal punishment. Women are more likely to report the crime to police if the offender is a stranger. Women are less likely to report current husbands, de facto partners or boyfriends.

Reasons for under-reporting of sexual assault

Research shows that women don't report sexual assault to the police for a number of reasons, including:

* Lack of faith in police and the justice system
* The fear they won't be believed
* Fear of coping with the medical and legal procedures