Rape is defined as sexual intercourse forced on a person without his or her permission, either by threat of force or on someone who is unable to give consent.

Sexual intercourse may be vaginal, anal, or oral, and may involve the use of a body part or an object.

Sex and rape; Date rape; Sexual assault

According to most estimates, 80% - 90% of rapes are not reported to police. Current trends project that 1 in 3 American women will be sexually assaulted at some point during her life.

The typical rape victim is a 16 - 24-year-old woman. Anyone, however -- man or woman, adult or child -- can be the victim of rape. Other important facts about rape include:

• Most commonly, the rapist is a 25 - 44-year-old man who plans his attack. He usually chooses a woman of the same race.
• Nearly half the time, the victim knows the rapist from working or living near him.
• Alcohol is involved in more than one out of three rapes.
• Over one-half of rapes occur in the victim's home. The rapist breaks into the victim's home or gains access under false pretenses, such as asking to use the phone or posing as a repairman or salesman.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder

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Rape Prevention

Review Date: 03/30/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)