This is done intentionally. The term sexual assault is extremely broad and just means any non-consentual sexual touch. It covers everything from an unwanted kiss or a pinch on the ass to full blown forcible penetration. Most people, like yourself, assume its just another term for rape and so when they hear it they think that's what happened. The media uses that to help sensationalize headlines and lawyers use it as a negotiation tactic for restorative justice shakedowns.
So for all we know, someone on set could have kissed her without asking, and a lawyer says we're going to the press to say you sexually assaulted my client. By letter of the law, yes this may be true, but they have no intention of going into a courtroom. The real threat is having your name plastered in the media alongside sexual assault and now everyone will assume you're a rapist when all you did was steal a kiss (not saying that is right either, mind you). That threat could ruin a career, and so the checkbooks and NDAs come flying out pretty quick.