Sexual abuse can happen to anyone – women, men, transgender people and children. It is when someone is forced, pressured or tricked into participating in any kind of sexual activity with another person, both online or in person.
Every person that comes in seeking support for sexual abuse has a story to tell. We are here to listen, to support, and to help you recover from rape, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence. Our sexual abuse survivor support is completely confidential, and we work in partnership with you so you feel a sense of control over your recovery process.
If you are a young person or have experienced child sexual abuse in the past, please visit this page.
If you have been raped or sexually abused recently, you might be feeling upset, numb or unsure of what happened. You might feel something entirely different, and that’s okay. Every response is valid, and your feelings might change over time. Please remember, it is not your fault.
As a first step, you should try to get somewhere safe and be with someone you trust. Then, when you’re ready, you could:
SARCs offer confidential support for those who have been recently sexually assaulted or raped. They provide pregnancy and STI tests, emergency contraception, and medical care for injuries.
You can choose to have a forensic medical exam by a specially trained doctor or nurse if you think you might want to report it to the police. They will take evidence from your body and clothes that may be used in court.
You don’t have to talk to the police at a SARC, and the forensic medical exam is entirely your choice. This is a safe space to get help and figure out your next steps.
If you were raped or sexually abused a few months, years or decades ago, there is still help available. Sexual abuse can have a lasting impact on your mind, body and relationships, and you should not feel pressured to “get over it.” Every experience is valid, and there’s no right or wrong way to feel after a traumatic experience.
Safety Net provides support after sexual abuse through stabilisation techniques, counselling sessions and reintegration into the community. We help you understand and process the long-term effects of trauma in a safe and comfortable environment at your own pace.
Sexual abuse can have a mental, emotional, physical, social and economic impact on you. Some effects can last a few days, and others can last for decades. Everyone has a different response to sexual abuse because every experience is different. There is no wrong or right way to feel. Please remember it is not your fault, and there is support for survivors of sexual abuse.
1 in 4 women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult.
We offer support to women who have experienced rape or sexual abuse. The trauma from abuse can have a big impact on your mind and body, and you may experience the following symptoms:
1 in 18 men have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult.
We provide support for male survivors of sexual abuse. We know it’s sometimes difficult for men to come forward if they have experienced rape or sexual abuse. You are not alone, and you don’t have to live in silence. We’re here to listen, never to judge and to offer male sexual abuse support.
You may experience the following symptoms if you have experienced sexual abuse:
We provide support for sexual abuse survivors in the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ communities experience sexual abuse in a similar way to that of their cisgender peers. However, sexual abuse in the LGBTQ+ community is often also driven by homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and acephobia, and both non-LGBTQ+ people and those within the LGBTQ+ community can perpetrate it.
Sexual abuse can impact an LGBTQ+ person’s identity, self-confidence, relationships and mental and physical health. We are here to support you and help you process the long-lasting impact of trauma from sexual abuse and/or rape.
