What is Rape?

Rape (or sexual assault) is “sexual intercourse without consent”.

For men, this intercourse may include:

• penetration of the anus by any part of another person’s body (eg, penis, finger) or by any object manipulated by another person.
• penetration of the mouth by another man’s penis.

A man is raped (or sexually assaulted ) when he is forced to engage in these activities without his consent.

Other forms of unwanted sexual activity
Other kinds of unwanted sexual activity (for example touching of the genitals through clothing) are called “indecent assault”, or “acts of indecency”, and are also against the law.

Rape is a crime of violence
Many people believe that rape is a sexual act. Although rape involves sexual acts, it is motivated by the desire for power and control over another person rather than by sexual attraction or the desire for sexual gratification. In other words, rape is a crime of violence. Rape also occurs when someone forces or tricks another person into unwanted sexual activity, even if actual physical violence is not involved.

The information on this web page is taken from: Men and Rape: Information for Men about Sexual Assault. A pamphlet produced by the NSW Health Center Against Violence. Parramatta, NSW.