Rape victims are people who suffer from unwanted and nonconsensual sexual intercourse or sexual penetration. A rape is both a serious crime and a civil assault. The rapist may simultaneously be charged with a crime by the state and be a defendant in civil proceedings brought by the rape victim. A rapist may use violence, the threat of violence, intimidation or wrongful imprisonment to force the victim to have sexual relations. The rapist often knows the victim prior the rape. A rape can happen to men, women and children although women and children are the most common victims. Rape is also known as sexual assault in many jurisdictions.