I would have to agree with Trust and Rebel on this one. I have survived being both molested and raped. I was not believed by my mother either. That unfortunately happens in situations like this. There is no way a person can just "get over it, or deal with it" and go on with their lives. Your trust is forever broken, your innocense is shattered, and one of the most private choices that a person has, is taken away. I experienced this between the ages of 12-17 and I still have emotional problems and trust issues. Like so many others, I dealt with this horrible experience alone. I felt too ashamed and was too scared to face my attacker. I was just left with the mental and physical scars and felt so alone. These are both terrible and life changing events. The physical scars are much easier to heal. Its the mental factors that tend to stay with a person. There is no way a person can just get on with their life as if it never happened. Trust me...I have tried.

I'm sorry! I hope that you have had a wonderful life since then and an even better future!

Rape is a power thing. Often the sex is secondary. Mean people suck.

Molestation and sexual assault are legally defined in different ways but pretty much are on the same page as each other.

Adults can be molested, usually it is women but using the legal term molestaion, it refers to child molestation. It is more of a broad term where sexual assault is more specific a term. At least in my dealings.

Molestation refers to any kind of sexual contact. This includes touching in private places, showing a child porn, masterbating in front of a child but not touching that child etc. It does not just mean penetrating a child. It is general term for all sexual contact with the child. Even children can molest another child.

Sexual assault is a specific term meant to mean the actual unwanted penetration of a person. It is usually meant for adult persons who have had another adult pentrate them either in the vagina or rectum. But women can be sexually assaulted by a minor.

It is a bit confusing since they are so similar. But the big difference is any sexual contact with a child vs penetrating a child or woman.

I would like to clear up a few things. Sexual assault is mostly about control and having the power over the victim. However, not all sexual assaults are about power and not all are violent. It is based on the needs of the person committing the act. There have been those who commit sexual assault who think they are on a date and are having actual consenting sex with a female. This type of assault is usually done by someone with more of a mental illness but it does happen. Some men who commit sexual assault ask the victim, how it was and if they were good after the crime. They need reassurance.

Not all women who are assaulted are hurt.

It is the worst kind of crime, in my opinion, but there are different reasons and not each is the same.

Having read through this thread I feel compelled to make a comment and speaking from experience I will say this -- it's a costly thing to even try to mention, never mind put in print.

1. It is impossible for anyone to try to carry on with life as if nothing ever happened after an experience of molestation or rape.

2. It is very difficult to try mention such things to your own, due to fear of not being believed or being looked on being the cause of it.

3. Looking back, I know well now, that I was not to blame, I did not ask for such, neither try encourage such -- however, it does not ease the pain of hurt -- feeling of shame, filth and guilt.

4. I was interfered with as a child, later when a teenager, and then as an adult. Each case was completely different and while the last was the most severe, it hasn't left any deeper marks than the first, because all affect ones mind and thoughts and the scars remain for life.

5. Counselling is good, especially if can get to the place of trust with an understanding caring individual -- however, certain issues will keep recurring.

Never, ever, try tell someone to "Forget about it and get on with life." Such is not possible andit's only a person who knows nothing about such can utter those words, which are actually most hurtful and offensive to the victim involved.

We should never forget to show compassion and the need to understand the victims. We should all be concerned in seeing that this does not occur in our families or community.
Too often it is a family members, friend, or authority figure that is the evil beast within our society.

My heart and thoughts to the far far too many that have to live with this.

I believe the definition of rape is being penetrated by anything against your will not neccesarily a penis. So if you insert a finger it's rape if the other person has not consented.