Sexual violence can take place in any kind of relationship
It can be hard to identify and talk about what you have experienced. This can be for several reasons, including:
- knowing the person who has used (perpetrated) sexual violence
- being in a relationship with the person who has used sexual violence
- being scared of the person who has used sexual violence
- community attitudes around who experiences and who uses sexual violence.
- community attitudes around sex, sexuality and consent (agreeing to sex or sexual activity).
Sexual violence can happen to anyone, to any gender or sexuality. You have a right to feel safe and heard.
What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence or sexual assault is any behaviour of a sexual nature that makes a person feel:
- uncomfortable
- frightened
- intimidated
- threatened.
It can include physical behaviours (rape, assault) and other behaviours such as making sexually suggestive jokes (harassment). It is sexual behaviour that is not agreed to and does not always include physical harm.
Sexual violence can occur once or many times.