Sexual violence is a serious public health issue affecting millions of adults and children in the United States. Sexual assault is a crime of sexual violence that encompasses any non-consensual sexual activity, including sexual coercion, contact abuse (such as unwanted kissing, touching, or fondling), the intentional removal or damaging of a condom during sex (“stealthing”), and rape.
The American Academy of Family Physicians supports the rights of survivors of a sexual assault, sexual violence, and all sexual crimes. The AAFP supports survivors’ protection from their perpetrator(s), predator(s), and sex offender(s) including protection from re-victimization as it may relate to the use of custody or visitation lawsuits. Additionally, the AAFP believes that survivors have the right to be protected from the use of incarceration to compel testimony. The AAFP calls for prioritization of the wellbeing of survivors of sexual violence and sexual crimes and emphasizes the need for compassionate treatment of survivors within the criminal justice system and during the recovery process. The AAFP supports a legal framework that codifies these rights and protections.
(2015 COD) (April 2025 BOD)