0
Members
0
Views
0
Reactions
0
Stories read
Need to take a break?
For immediate help, visit {{resource}}
Is anal sex considered rape?
Answer by Dr. Laura
PhD Mental Health Nurse & Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
The word "rape" is used in many different contexts including survivors, advocates, and the legal system. Its exact definition can vary depending on where you look. Legally, definitions differ depending on where you live, and in most places the law does criminalize anal penetration without consent, though it may be called something different, like sexual assault or criminal sexual conduct. Outside of legal definitions, many advocates, educators, and support organizations define rape more broadly as any penetration without consent and that includes anal sex. The legal language doesn't always reflect the full reality of what survivors experience.
What matters most is that any sexual act, including anal sex, that happens without your full, free, and informed consent is a violation of your body and your autonomy. Whether or not the law in your specific location uses the word "rape" to describe it, that does not diminish what happened or how real and serious the harm is. Many survivors find that the legal label doesn't fully capture their experience anyway, and that's okay. You don't need a specific word to validate what you went through.
If you're trying to understand what happened to you within a legal context, speaking with a local sexual assault advocacy organization or a lawyer who specializes in sexual violence can help you understand the specific laws in your area. Advocates at organizations like RAINN (1-800-656-HOPE) can also help you navigate these questions confidentially and without pressure.
Thank you for trusting us with this.
Just Checking...
Discard Message?
You have a comment in progress, are you sure you want to discard it?
0
Members
0
Views
0
Reactions
0
Stories read
Need to take a break?
For immediate help, visit {{resource}}
Please adhere to our Community Guidelines to help us keep Our Wave a safe space. All messages will be reviewed and identifying information removed before they are posted.
Grounding activity
Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud:
5 – things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window)
4 – things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?)
3 – things you can hear
2 – things you can smell
1 – thing you like about yourself.
Take a deep breath to end.
From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at.
Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one).
Take a deep breath to end.
Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud:
1. Where am I?
2. What day of the week is today?
3. What is today’s date?
4. What is the current month?
5. What is the current year?
6. How old am I?
7. What season is it?
Take a deep breath to end.
Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: “I am powerful.” Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder.
Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud.
Take a deep breath to end.
Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment.
Take a deep breath to end.