At this day in age, sexual assault of all sorts is considered “normal”. A lot of teenagers are not taught about what it is and they do not act correctly if they see or hear about it. Sexual assault comes in all different types of forms. Sexual assault is sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim.

Many people blame the victims during these kinds of things. Victim blaming and sexual violence often go hand in hand. There are many myths in our society that reinforce that a survivor is somehow partly,or even fully, to blame for being sexually assaulted or abused. Rape is a form of sexual assault, but not all sexual assault is rape. The term rape is often used as a legal definition to specifically include sexual penetration without consent. Teenage girls (and boys) need to be more aware of these certain occurrences. Teenagers are introduced to the date rape drug when they are at a party or possibly with friends or someone that they like. This will occur quite frequently at parties. The date rape drug is a certain drug used for predators. People who want to harm others or assault them. It is a certain drug that makes the victim loose control over their body. They can barley speak, walk, or see.

People will blame the victims by saying, “They shouldn’t wear that in public” and plenty of other horrible things. The abuser will usually start off by saying, “They were asking for it.” A common statement overheard among peers is, “Look at that outfit she was wearing. What did she really expect?” This statement plays off the idea that people can’t control their urges and that a women’s attire has made the offender powerless to resist his or her urge to take her by force.

Sexual assault does happen with both genders, not only women. Men and boys who have been sexually assaulted or abused may have many of the same feelings and reactions as other survivors of sexual assault, but they may also face some additional challenges because of social attitudes and stereotypes about men and masculinity. Sometimes perpetrators, especially adults who sexually assault boys, will use these physiological responses to maintain secrecy by using phrases such as, “You know you liked it.” If you have been sexually abused or assaulted, it is not your fault.

Sometimes victims are scrutinized for the amount of alcohol they drank before the assault took place. This argument is completely invalid. Sexual assault is a crime of opportunity and offenders will use whatever means they can to justify their entitlement.

In many cultures, alcohol is not permitted. Yet, sober assailants will still assault sober victims within these communities. This clearly shows that sexual violence is a crime of power and control over others, not one based on inhibitions. No matter the age, people are still being assaulted.