Legal Definitions

Generally, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center uses the terms "sexual violence" and "sexual assault" and "rape" interchangeably.

Sexual Violence - Any sexual act that is perpetrated against someone's will.  Sexual violence encompasses a range of offenses, including a completed nonconsensual sex act (i.e. rape), an attempted nonconsensual sex act or abusive sexual contact (i.e. unwanted touching), and non-contact sexual abuse (i.e. threatened sexual violence, exhibitionism, verbal sexual harassment).  All types involve victims who do not consent or are unable to consent.  Adapted from Center for Disease Control

Sexual Assault - Sexual assault can include acts such as rape or attempted rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or threats.  A sexual assault can occur when someone touches any part of another person's body in a sexual way, even through clothes, without that person's consent.  Examples of sexual acts that fall under the category of sexual assault include forced sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral), incest, fondling and attempted rape.  Adapted from National Center for Victims of Crime

Rape - Rape is sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal or oral penetration, by a body part or object, by force or threat of force, or if the person is unable to consent due to intoxication, age or mental capacity.

The following legal definitions are based on the Ohio Revised Code:

Sexual Conduct - Vaginal or anal intercourse, oral sex, or the insertion, however slight, of any part of the body or any instrument, apparatus, or other object into the vaginal or anal opening of another.

Sexual Contact - Any touching of the thigh, genitals, buttocks, pubic region or breasts for the purposes of sexually arousing or gratifying either person.

Sexual Battery - Sexual conduct that occurs when the victim is coerced into submitting, unable to resist or appraise the sexual conduct or sleeping or otherwise unaware the sexual conduct is occuring.  Sexual battery also occurs when the offender of the sexual conduct is the natural or adoptive parent, stepparent, or guardian and/or has supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim (coach, teacher, religious figure, etc.)

Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor - Sexual conduct that occurs between a person over the age of 18 and a person that is 13, 14 or 15.

Gross Sexual Imposition - Sexual contact that occurs by force or threat of force.


If you believe that you are the victim of a sex-related offense, contact the police in the city where the crime occurred.  If you would like more information on the criminal justice system and/or would like to have an advocate present, please call 216-619-6194 x 103.