SEXUAL | VIPMK

What is Sexual Abuse?

There is not easy way to talk about sexual abuse or sexual assault. It is a difficult topic to openly discuss with anyone regardless of whether you trust them or not. Being the victim of sexual abuse or sexual assault can give you feelings of shame and lonliness. It can also make you feel humiliated and can effect how you feel about yourself. It can make you feel dirty and unclean and can lead to mental health problems and conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression. It can also lead to further risky behaviours and acitvities such as substance abuse.

Sexual Abuse Includes includes rape, sexual assault or sexual acts a person has not consented to, or can not consent to, or felt pressured into doing (coerced). This includes penetration of any sort.

Touching certain parts of the body such as breasts, buttocks and genitals.

Others exposing themselves to you (showing you their genitals, it also includes when someone else encourages you (coerces) to look at pornographic images and videos or encourages you (coerces) to send them images or videos of yourself.

Signs of Sexual Abuse/Assault

Knowing and understanding the signs and the symptoms of sexual assault or abuse can help give a vulnerable person a voice. Not everyone is capable of speaking up or finding their voice, sometimes a young person, or even an adult needs help and support in finding their voice to speak out or ask for help.

Sometimes young people will not understand what is happening to them, they may have bneen told by their abuser that it makes them special and it is a secret. It is important to know the signs and understand the symptoms. These include:

Physical sings:

Bruises in places such as buttocks, thighs, genital areas
Bleeding, discharge, pains and soreness in areas of their gentials or surrounding areas
Sexually transmitted infections of genitals and throat
Pregnancy
Difficulty when walking or sitting

Behavioural and emotional signs:

showing signs of fear or looking uncomfortable around certain people they know
Sexual language that they should not know
Sexual behaviours that they should not know
Alcohol use
Drug use

If someone tells you that they have been sexually abused...

If someone reveals to you that they have been sexually abused or assaulted you must listen to what they have to say. Listent o them without judgement, they have come to you because they feel safe and secure talking to you. You are a person that they trust.

Listen to them and what they have to say and allow them to talk freely
Tell them that they have done the right thing by telling you
reassure them, validate their feelings and emotions
Remind them that they are not to blame, it is not their fault and that they did not deserve what has happened
Let them know that you believe them
let them know that they are not alone
Get medical help, this is important, especially within the first 36 hours. Sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and its exposure can potentially be reduced greatly by medications, but treatment has to be sought within the first 36 hours.
- Some individuals may be injured internally and not realise this, it is important to be physically checked in order to prevent long term injury or damage
- Evidence may be collected, evidence can be used to convict the perpetrator and prevent them from harming others.
- Emotional and mental health support can be offered immediately without delay
It is important that the victim feels as though they have some control of the situation, allow them to make as many important decisions as possible. They will be feeling vulnerable and helpless, during the assault they had no control over the situation and may feel overwhelmed and lost. Offer support and guidance and inform them of services that can help, encourage them to make informed decisions. In the case of a child or a vulnerable young person, you must act within their best interest, this means that you will have to take control of the situation and call the police and seek medical help and support immediately without delay.