Help following sexual abuse
Rape and sexual abuse is common in abusive relationships. Sexual abuse is unwanted sexual behaviour from one person to another. It can also refer to behaviour such as restricting access to birth control and condoms.
- It is important to know that just because you “did not say no,” it does not mean that you meant “yes.”
- When you do not resist an unwanted sexual advance, it does not mean that you wanted to do it
- Some think that if you did not resist, that it does not count as abuse. That is not true. It still is. Whether you were drunk or using drugs, you were scared or thought you had to, it is not your fault.
Some examples of sexual assault and abuse are
- Unwanted kissing or touching
- Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity
- Rape (deliberate penetration of vagina, anus or mouth with a penis, without consent) or attempted rape
- Refusing to use condoms or restricting someone’s access to birth control
- Keeping someone from protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Sexual contact with someone who is very drunk, drugged, unconscious or otherwise unable to give a clear and informed “yes” or “no”
- Threatening someone into unwanted sexual activity
- Pressuring or forcing someone to have sex or perform sexual acts
- Using sexual insults toward someone
- Sexual activity with someone who is not old enough to/does not have the capacity to consent
Yellow Door
Yellow Door is a registered charity working to support individuals and communities across Southampton and western Hampshire, the services are dedicated to supporting those who have experienced - or are at risk of – abuse. Helpline is available on Wednesday’s 4pm – 7pm
Telephone: 023 8063 6312
Website: www.yellowdoor.org.uk
Email: info@yellowdoor.org.uk
Helpline: 023 8063 6313
The Treetops Centre
Treetops is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Portsmouth, offering medical care and emotional support to victims of rape and serious sexual assault whether they are male, female, adults or children. Information and support on the choice of whether or not to report the assault to police.
The service is confidential and no information will be shared without your consent unless there are safeguarding concerns about a child, young person or vulnerable adult
Telephone: 0300 123 6616
Website: www.solent.nhs.uk/treetops
Email: admin.treetops@solent.nhs.uk
Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis is a national organisation that supports the work of Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales. They exist to improve services and promote the needs and rights of women and girls who have experienced sexual abuse, rape and all forms of sexual violence. Rape Crisis Centres provide frontline specialist, independent and confidential services for women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence, at any time in their lives.
Telephone: 0808 802 9999
Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Revenge Porn Helpline
A UK helpline supporting adults (those over the age of 18) who are victims of intimate image abuse and who have had their intimate images and videos shared without consent, or when someone is threatening to do this.
Telephone: 0345 6000 459 Mon – Fri – 10am – 4pm
Website: revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
