Rape

Although rape is defined differently across various legal jurisdictions, it is generally conceived of as any forced or coerced genital contact or sexual penetration. This would include not only vaginal contact or penetration, but also anal and oral contact or penetration. Penetration can be effectuated with a genital organ (penis), another body part such as a hand, or an object.

Although rape can be committed against males and females, it is often used as a form of gender-based violence. Amnesty International has delineated three categories of gender-based violence: family violence, that is committed against a woman or girl by a family member, including marital rape; community violence, including rape committed in the context of prostitution or trafficking and rape committed by a stranger; and state violence, which includes rape that is committed or condoned by someone working for the government, such as a police officer, prison guard, soldier, or border official.

Rape has been and...