What is Rape/Sexual Abuse?

Rape and sexual assault, also referred to as sexual abuse or sexual violence, is when you have experienced unwanted sexual contact or behaviour without your consent.
Anyone can be sexually assaulted and both men and women can commit sexual assault.

Rape is defined as if somebody has forced you to have sex, or has had sex with you without your consent. It doesn’t matter who this person is – whether they are your partner, or whether you have had sex before – if you did not give your consent, it is rape.

Sexual assault is defined as if somebody has grabbed or touched any part of your body in a sexual way. It is also sexual assault if somebody has forced you to kiss them or take part in a sexual act against your will.