Understanding Rape and Sexual Assault

What is consent, coerced sex and more you should know.

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Standing With Jada - The recent story about Jada, a Houston teen, whose rape went viral, is another reminder of how vulnerable Black women and girls are to sexual assault. Read more about rape, what is consent and what we can do prevent rape in our community. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: KHOU 11 News)

What Is Rape? - Rape is defined as sexual intercourse that is forced on a person without their consent. Rape can happen when someone physically forces you to have sex or threatens to hurt you. It can also happen when you are unable to consent from being drunk, drugged and/or unconscious. (Photo: isitsharp/Getty Images)

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What Is Rape? - Rape is defined as sexual intercourse that is forced on a person without their consent. Rape can happen when someone physically forces you to have sex or threatens to hurt you. It can also happen when you are unable to consent from being drunk, drugged and/or unconscious. (Photo: isitsharp/Getty Images)

Can Your Husband or Boyfriend Rape You? - Yes. Just because you have had sex with someone before doesn’t mean that you don’t have a say when you have sex again. You should have the control over your own body whether it’s with your husband, boo, anyone — period. (Photo: Juice Images/Corbis)

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Can Your Husband or Boyfriend Rape You? - Yes. Just because you have had sex with someone before doesn’t mean that you don’t have a say when you have sex again. You should have the control over your own body whether it’s with your husband, boo, anyone — period. (Photo: Juice Images/Corbis)

What’s Coerced Sex? - Coercion is a tactic that perpetrators use to intimidate and force you to have sex with them without using physical force. Manipulation, fear and threats can be used to coerce a woman into sex. A 2013 study found that almost half of Black women experienced sexual coercion in their lifetime.  (Photo: Steven Errico/Getty Images)

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What’s Coerced Sex? - Coercion is a tactic that perpetrators use to intimidate and force you to have sex with them without using physical force. Manipulation, fear and threats can be used to coerce a woman into sex. A 2013 study found that almost half of Black women experienced sexual coercion in their lifetime.  (Photo: Steven Errico/Getty Images)

They Isolate Themselves From Loved Ones - People who are suicidal often push loved ones away and prefer to be alone. If you see them pulling away, not calling you back, spending time alone and even falling back from being an active parent, this could be a major sign of depression and suicidal tendencies. (Photo: laflor/Getty Images)

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Black Women and Sexual Assault - Rape is not just a white-girl problem — it’s ours too. Sixty percent of Black women reported they had been sexually assaulted by a Black man before they turned 18, according researchers at Black Women’s Blueprint. (Photo: laflor/Getty Images)

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Your Friends Can’t Take Another Venting Session - Or maybe you are tired of complaining to them. Either way, it may be time to pay someone who is qualified to listen and help you through to the other side.  (Photo: Eric Audras/Onoky/Corbis)

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It’s Not Your Fault - If you are a victim of sexual assault, please know that it is not your fault and that you are not alone. There are resources and hotlines for you to call for help. Click here for more information.  (Photo: Eric Audras/Onoky/Corbis)

What’s Up With Victim Blaming? - It happens often that instead of focusing on the rape and the perpetrator, the blame unjustly shifts toward the actual victim. The victim can be scrutinized for her past sexual behavior, what she was wearing or how much she was drinking. This can lead to shame, depression and not reporting the attack. (Photo: Bruce Laurance/Getty Images)

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What’s Up With Victim Blaming? - It happens often that instead of focusing on the rape and the perpetrator, the blame unjustly shifts toward the actual victim. The victim can be scrutinized for her past sexual behavior, what she was wearing or how much she was drinking. This can lead to shame, depression and not reporting the attack. (Photo: Bruce Laurance/Getty Images)

Photo By Bruce Laurance/Getty Images

More Research Links Racial Oppression and PTSD - Can racism cause post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? A new Psychology Today article sheds light on the emotional impact that experiencing racial oppression can have. Past data shows that Blacks have higher rates of PTSD compared to whites and we are more likely to have difficulties performing everyday activities and going to work because of it. (Photo: Image Source / Getty Images)

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It’s Much More Common Than You Think - It’s estimated that one in four women will be raped in her lifetime (the number may even be higher because most rapes go unreported), with young women ages 16-24 being the most likely to be attacked, says the White House. (Photo: Image Source / Getty Images)

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Speak Out - And while rape may be common, it’s never normal and it's not a joke. It's important that both young boys and girls understand the need to speak out about rape in their community and to support people they know who have been victims. (Photo: Rob McGowan/Corbis)

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Speak Out - And while rape may be common, it’s never normal and it's not a joke. It's important that both young boys and girls understand the need to speak out about rape in their community and to support people they know who have been victims. (Photo: Rob McGowan/Corbis)

Why Men and Boys Have to Be Part of the Conversation - Given that rapists usually rape women of the same race, it’s really important that we have open and honest conversations and more programs teaching Black men and boys what healthy consensual sex looks like and how to respect women. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Getty Images)

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Why Men and Boys Have to Be Part of the Conversation - Given that rapists usually rape women of the same race, it’s really important that we have open and honest conversations and more programs teaching Black men and boys what healthy consensual sex looks like and how to respect women. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Getty Images)