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24/7 Crisis line: 530-674-2040

Casa de Esperanza is here to help.

Sexual Assault

Any form of sexual contact without voluntary consent is sexual assault.
It’s not OK, and it’s not the victim’s fault—ever.

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What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault can be verbal, visual or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention. A common misconception is that all sexual assaults involve intercourse or violence, but any form of sexual contact without voluntary consent is sexual assault. Consent obtained through pressure, coercion, force or threat of force is not voluntary consent.

Types of abuse

  • Attempted rape
  • Marital rape
  • Unwanted sexual touching
  • Sexual harassment
  • Incest
  • Any sexual contact with minors
  • Possession or distribution of child pornography
  • Solicitation of minors through the internet

What is consent?​

Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent should be clearly and freely communicated. A verbal and affirmative expression of consent can help both you and your partner to understand and respect each other’s boundaries.

Consent cannot be given by individuals who are underage, intoxicated or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious. If someone agrees to an activity under pressure of intimidation or threat, that isn’t considered consent because it was not given freely. 

Unequal power dynamics, such as engaging in sexual activity with an employee or student, also mean that consent cannot be freely given.

What Does Consent
NOT Look Like?

  • Refusing to acknowledge “no”
  • A partner who is disengaged, nonresponsive, or visibly upset
  • Assuming that wearing certain clothes, flirting, or kissing is an invitation for  anything more
  • Someone being under the legal age of consent, as defined by the state
  • Someone being incapacitated because of drugs or alcohol
  • Pressuring someone into sexual activity by using fear or intimidation
  • Assuming you have permission to engage in a sexual act because you’ve done it in the past

If you’ve experienced sexual assault, you’re not alone. To speak with someone who is trained to help, call us at 530-674-2040 or Chat online at.

Legal Disclaimer: Casa de Esperanza website provides general information that is intended, but not guaranteed, to be correct and up-to-date. The information is not presented as a source of legal advice. You should not rely, for legal advice, on statements or representations made within the website or by any externally referenced Internet sites. If you need legal advice upon which you intend to rely in the course of your legal affairs, consult a competent, independent attorney. Casa de Esperanza does not assume any responsibility for actions or non-actions taken by people who have visited this site, and no one shall be entitled to a claim for detrimental reliance on any information provided or expressed.

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