The majority of perpetrators are individuals known to the victim. About eight out of ten sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone familiar to the victim, such as in cases of intimate partner sexual violence (IPV) or acquaintance rape.

The term "date rape" is sometimes used interchangeably with acquaintance rape. Perpetrators of acquaintance rape may indeed be a date, but they could also be a classmate, a neighbor, a friend's partner, or fulfill various other roles. It's crucial to understand that dating, previous instances of intimacy, or other actions like kissing do not equate to consent for further or escalated sexual contact.

In some cases, the victim may have no prior acquaintance with the perpetrator. This form of sexual violence is often referred to as stranger rape, which can manifest in various ways:

• Blitz sexual assault: involving a perpetrator swiftly and brutally assaulting the victim with no prior interaction, typically at night in a public location.

• Contact sexual assault: where a perpetrator initiates contact with the victim and attempts to gain their trust through flirting, luring them to a car, or coercing them into a situation where the assault takes place.

• Home invasion sexual assault: when a stranger breaks into the victim's home to commit the assault.

Survivors of both stranger rape and acquaintance rape frequently blame themselves, believing their behavior may have encouraged the perpetrator. It's important to emphasize that the victim is never at fault for the actions of the perpetrator.