Edinburgh Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre

Is a violent crime which can have a devastating affect. The current legal definition is ‘sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent’. The penis has to enter the vagina, but this does not have to be by much. The man does not need to ejaculate. What women and men experience may not fit the legal definition, and they may use different words to describe what happened to them, but it can be just as upsetting and frightening. Rape is not about sexual desire. It is about power, control and humiliation, and is an assault on a woman’s body, mind and dignity.

A new bill, the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2008, has recently been brought before the Scottish Parliament. This bill recommends that the current legal definition of rape is broadened out to include vaginal, anal and oral penetration by the penis. Under the new bill, both women and men can be raped.

Is the organised sexual, physical, psychological (mental) and emotional abuse of one or more children, adolescents or adults. It usually involves a group or groups of people of both sexes. This often involves family members. It can be practiced as part of a religion or a belief system, which abusers use as a means to control the individual and justify their actions.