What is sexual abuse?
According to the UK Department of Health: "Sexual violence covers a wide range of abusive acts directed towards an individual's sexuality, including sexual assault, rape, sexual coercion, sexual bullying and female genital mutilation."
Are you a victim of sexual violence or abuse?
Any behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwanted and takes place without your consent constitutes sexual violence or abuse.
You may have experienced sexual violence or abuse either as a child or adult, from a partner, ex-partner, date, friend, family member, colleague, a professional you know or form someone you don't know.
If an individual touches you in a way you do not want to be touched, makes unwanted sexual demands, hurts you during sex, pressures you into having unsafe sex (not using a condom), pressures you into having sex or has sex with you when you don't want to - these are all examples of sexual abuse, which is never OK!
Sexual violence and abuse is always wrong. There is specialist support available.
Finding Support
Support for sexual abuse survivors is available through the following means:
| Name | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Nottinghamshire Women's Aid | Website: www.nottswa.org Telephone: 01909 491 330 |
| Equation (support for all victims of crime) | Website: https://www.equation.org.uk/ Telephone: 0115 9623 237 |
| Rape Crisis (England and Wales) | Website: Rape Crisis (England and Wales) |
| Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services | Support Helpline: 0115 941 0440. Mon-Fri: 10am-1pm, 4:30pm-7:30pm Sat-Sun: 10am-1pm Website: Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services |
| Survivor Support Service (For childhood sexual abuse) | 0115 947 0064, Option 2. (Mon-Fri 9-17:00). |
| S.H.E UK (For female survivors) | Website: S.H.E UK Telephone: 01623 622 916 |
| Male Survivors Partnership | Website: Male survivors partnership Telephone: 0808 800 5005 |
| Imara (For children, teenagers and families) | Website: Imara |
| Topaz Centre | Website: Topaz Centre Telephone: 0800 085 9993 |
| Galop (LGBT+) | Website: Galop (LGBT+) Telephone: 020 7704 2040 |
Last Updated on Monday, November 27, 2023