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Sexual Assault

Feminine pronouns are used throughout, since women are 8 times more likely to be victimized than are men (Fitzgerald, 1999). When men are abused, the effects and pastoral responses are the same. We are concerned for abuse of all whether male or female, adult or children.

Sexual assult is the term used to describe sexual acts committed WITHOUT a person's consent and/or against a person's will. Sexual assault can happen in the context of a variety of relationships, including between dating or marriage partners.

Sexual consent

Sexual consent refers to sex which is freely, intelligently, and voluntarily shared between two adults.
Meaningful consent about sexual activity cannot be given in relationships where there is an imbalance of power (ie. professor-student, pastor-congregant, adult-child).
Every woman has the right to make decisions about her own body, whether or not to:
- Have sex
- Use birth control
- Become pregnant
- Have children
She does not lose these rights after she marries.

Rape is a sexual assault and a criminal offence.

The Offender

The offender may be:

A stranger
An acquaintance, family member or friend
A woman's friend, spouse or boyfriend
An ex-partner

Adapted from Abuse Bulletin #3. Voices for Non-Violence and MCC Canada Women's Concerns Committee.

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MCC and MCC U.S.

21 South 12th Street
PO Box 500
Akron, PA, 17501-0500

(717) 859-1151
1-888-563-4676
Fax: (717) 859-3875

MCC Canada

134 Plaza Drive
Winnipeg, MB
R3T 5K9

(204) 261-6381
1-888-622-6337
Fax: (204) 269-9875