Is the term ‘sexual assault’ to broad when used in the news?

The definition of sexual assault covers a very broad range of crimes. I think we can all agree from the start that ANY of the actions that would qualify as sexual assault (ranging from an unwanted touch to a brutal rape) are unacceptable.

Specific laws vary by state, but sexual assault generally refers to any crime in which the offender subjects the victim to sexual touching that is unwanted and offensive. These crimes can range from sexual groping or assault/battery, to attempted rape. All states prohibit this type of assault but the exact definitions of the crimes that fall within the category of sexual assault differ from state to state.

Most states have made sexual assault the umbrella term for other crimes, such as rape and unwanted sexual contact. Some states distinguish between crimes involving penetration and crimes involving coerced or involuntary touching, making the former an aggravated or first-degree sexual assault and the latter a lower-level sexual assault.

In the news, coverage of a crime that is classified this way is generally covered with the same weighted commentary. I am not trying to diminish any crime, but it seems problematic to cover a crime that may involve a coworker groping another coworker in the same way one would cover a serial rapist. I believe that most people, when they hear ‘sexual assault’ make the assumption that rape occurred, which isn’t always the case. While someone who groped another person in an unwanted way should be held accountable and no one should downplay it, is it fair to imply that person could have done something far worse, like rape?

Bonus Question: Does having sexual assault defined as such a broad term help or hurt the #metoo movement?