What is sexual assault? Sexual assault covers any sort of sexual
activity and behaviour that is unwanted and can be committed
against both males and females. What is rape? Rape is when a
woman is forced to have sex or does not consent to having sex.
This includes occasions when for whatever reason the female is
unable to give consent i.e. due to illness, being very drunk or
any other condition that prevents her from giving consent. Any
female can become a victim of rape no matter their relationship
with the person responsible. You can be raped or sexually
assaulted by someone you are in a relationship with. It can be
your husband or partner who is responsible. Most rapes are
committed by someone the victim knows. Only 6% of rapes are
committed by strangers. For a rape to take place the male must
put his penis inside the female’s vagina. Penetration of a
female’s anus by a male is not rape but would be considered a
sexual assault. Scottish law is under review and in the future
may include other forms of penetr