What is Rape?

Rape is an assault by someone involving sexual intercourse with another person without that persons’ consent. It is often used interchangeably with sexual assault. It includes forced intercourse in the vagina, anus or mouth by the offender(s). It is a criminal offense and is considered as one of the worst crimes a person can commit. Rape can happen to men, women or children and causes both physical and emotional harm to the victim.

Different Types of Rape

• Date rape – also called acquaintance rape, is a non-consensual sexual activity or rape committed by people who are already acquainted or who know each other socially. They can be friends, acquaintances, people on a date or even a couple with previous consensual sex in the past, where it is alleged that consent for sexual activity was not given.
• Statutory rape- is having non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is not old enough to legally consent to having sexual relations. The actual ages for these laws and punishments for offenders vary greatly from state-to-state.
• Gang rape – also known as mass rape or pack rape, occurs when a group of people participate in the rape of a single victim. It involves more than one attacker and is widely reported to occur in most countries.  
• Spousal rape – is rape between married people. It is also known as wife rape, partner rape, marital rape or intimate partner sexual assault.
• Drug facilitated rape – this kind of rape is when a rapist uses various drugs to render a victim unconscious.  Substances are added to a drink to increase the vulnerability of potential victim, so they can easily be sexually assaulted or raped.
• Prison rape – these rapes happen inside prison and most commonly another inmate is the attacker. But in female prisons, prison guards can be the attacker.

If you or a family member has been a victim of a sexual assault or rape, you must immediately consult an experienced attorney. Someone who will be sensitive to the issues faced by the victims and will take the time to thoroughly discuss every aspect of the case.

The Information found on this website is intended for information purposes only and not as legal advice.

Additional Legal Tools: Bloom Legal Law Firm. Serving clients in New Orleans, Louisiana.