FAQ: What is assault?

There are two types of assault: aggravated and simple. Aggravated assault is an unlawful attack on another person for the purpose of causing severe physical injury. It is usually called aggravated when it includes use of a weapon or some other means that could cause death or serious physical harm to the victim. A person can be convicted of aggravated assault even if the victim was not physically harmed. Simple assault is the attempt or threat to inflict less serious physical injury without a weapon.

Assault is the most common violent crime in the United States.

--from Criminal Victimization in the United States 2000. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001

The number of assaults is much higher than the number of homicides in the United States. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, one aggravated assault occurred every 29 seconds in 1995. Unlike other violent crimes, assaults are committed almost equally by strangers and nonstrangers, which means that many victims know their attackers. Almost one out of every four assaults occurs in the victim's home; at a relative's, friend's, or neighbor's home; or on the street near the victim's home.

Assaults on juveniles have nearly doubled during the past few years. Teenage victims of violent assaults are more likely than adult victims to report that the offender is someone they know. Many juvenile assault victims say the first assault they remember was in their homes. The attackers generally have been family members, friends, or acquaintances.

In aggravated assault, the threat of serious physical injury and possible death is substantial. Even when assault victims do not sustain extensive injury or loss, they are forced to suffer threats of violence and physical harm at the hands of their assailants.

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