For people new to the world of sexual violation, it is important to understand that there are many terms with various definitions commonly used by those who have been affected by this violence. I decided it was prudent to provide a list of these words to help you understand the language on this site and others better. Rape
Taking a person sexually against his or her will. This means even if the person didn't scream or struggle, he or she didn't want it, and felt violated by it.
Molestation
Commonly associated with children, this is the act of touching someone inappropriately. This includes tickling, fondling the crotch, buttock and/or chest areas, making them touch those areas on another person, and rubbing against or over the child.
Sexual violation/violence
The act of rape or a form of molestation.
Victim
A person who has been raped or molested. This term usually indicates they have been unable to overcome the trauma yet to the point of being able to function easily in everyday life.
Survivor
A person who has been raped or molested. This term connotes a sense that they have been able to take control back from the perpetrator and live their life in a healthy way, and usually helping others in a similar situation. It is common to hear words of people making a transformation from being a victim to becoming a survivor. On this website, the term survivor is used because of its more empowering and affirming context.
Attacker(s)
The person or people who raped or molested someone.
Flashback
The experience of intensely remembering an attack. Often to the extent that the person forgets where they are, who they're with, or what's going on. Flashbacks can be so intense that a person smells, hears, sees and/or feels the same sensations as they did at the moment of their attack. They can also be as mild as a sense of shadowing when doing a task that reminds them in some way of the violation. A common flashback is, when making out or having sex with a person, to see that person's face interchangeably with their attacker(s) so that the survivor is unable to tell the difference between their current partner and their violator.
Triggering
The causing of a flashback. This can be a smell, taste, thought, color or something else.
Secondary survivor
Someone who is close to a survivor and, because of the bond between them, feels victimized by the attack. Secondary survivors may go through, on a smaller scale, some of the things survivors experience such as nightmares, feelings of loss of control or helplessness, and a sense of inadequacy.
Prosurvivor
Someone who has not been sexually abused and may or may not be close to a survivor who cares about sex abuse. Prosurvivors are supportive of survivors and the cause to prevent sexual assault.