Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence
Information Service

Definitions

Rape is defined by the Washington State Criminal Code as engaging in sexual intercourse with another person under any of the following circumstances:

• 1st degree: forcible compulsion including the use, or threatened use of a weapon, or what appears to be a weapon; or kidnapping the victim, or inflicting serious physical injury; or feloniously entering into a building or vehicle where the victim is located;
• 2nd degree: forcible compulsion (a) when the victim is incapable of giving consent because he or she is physically helpless or mentally incapacitated for any reason, including being under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs (e.g. Rohypnol and Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB)), (b) the victim is developmentally disabled and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and who has supervisory authority over the victim, (c) the perpetrator is a health care provider, the victim is a client or patient, and the sexual intercourse occurs during a treatment session, (d) the victim is a resident of a facility for the mentally disordered or chemically dependent persons and the perpetrator is not married to the victim and has supervisory authority over the victim, or (e) the victim is a frail elder or vulnerable adult and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and who has signifacant relationshop to the victim.
• 3rd degree: the victim does not consent to sexual intercourse with the perpetrator and such lack of consent is expressed by the victim's words or conduct.

The Criminal Code defines sexual intercourse as penetration, however slight, of the vagina or anus by a penis or other object, such as a finger. The law also prohibits forced oral sex. This law is gender neutral and recognizes that rape happens between members of either the same sex or different sexes.

Rape in the first and second degrees are considered class A felonies punishable under the Washington State Criminal Code by up to life in prison and/or a $50,000 fine. Third degree rape is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Sexual assault is defined as engaging or attempting to engage in unwanted sexual activity.

Acquaintance and date rape are familiar terms to students, but they are not legal terms. They are used to differentiate between rape committed by someone the survivor knows and rape by a stranger. An acquaintance does not have to be someone you know well or would even consider a friend.

Stalking occurs when a person intentionally and repeatedly harasses or follows another person, and the person being harassed is placed in fear of being injured.

Relationship violence occurs when an individual uses a pattern of sexual, physical, emotional and/or verbal abuse to control an intimate partner. Relationship violence is a broad term that includes domestic violence crimes, such as assault, rape and criminal trespass. The Washington State Domestic Violence Protection Act applies to individuals 16 or older who have, or have had, a dating or marital relationship with the alleged perpetrator.

The University of Washington is committed to providing its students with an environment conducive to the pursuit of knowledge. Admission to the University carries with it the presumption that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the community, and refrain from actions that would endanger the health, welfare or safety of others. Conduct constituting a sexual offense (i.e., rape or sexual assault), sexual harassment or an incident of relationship violence will not be tolerated. Students committing sexual or physical offenses in any form can be prosecuted under Washington State Criminal Code (Title 9A RCW) and/or disciplined under the Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-120).

For more information please call SARIS at (206) 685-HELP (685-4357).

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