Rape: sexual assault

Forcible rape is a violent crime, as are all cases of sexual assault. In more than one-third of the cases, the victims are children, and a significant number of victims are elderly women. Although few of these victims have serious physical injuries, they all suffer psychological trauma that will affect their lives and the lives of those around them. All of these victims need medical care and psychologic counseling if they are to adjust and reenter society without difficulty.