Helplines in West Flanders, Belgium.

Have you experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Get confidential support from a hotline in West Flanders, Belgium

Sexual abuse is a form sexual violence where a person uses power or coercion to force you into unwanted sexual activity. You can be a victim of sexual abuse if you are a woman, man or child. Other forms of sexual violence are sexual assault, such as rape, and sexual harassment, which is sexual behaviour toward you that is unwelcome or offensive.

If you’ve experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment, you might be experiencing intense rage and fear, or you may feel numb. There are 1 hotlines in West Flanders, Belgium who support the victims of sexual violence. Consider getting some support if you recognize any of the following:

Examples of sexual violence:

• Repeated unwanted sexual attention or advances, including in your workplace or by your employer
• Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
• An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
• Rape by more than one person (gang rape) or rape by the same person over a period of time (serial rape)
• Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
• Being coerced, threatened or forced to perform any sort of sexual activity
• Sexual abuse or assault from someone in your family (incest)
• Being forced or coerced to have sex without protection from sexually transmitted diseases

Effects of sexual violence:

• Feeling ashamed for what occurred
• Having nightmares about the sexual abuse you experienced
• An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively
• Feeling depressed and hopeless, with suicidal thoughts
• Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you
• Feeling dirty, damaged, and broken
• Changes (either loss or increase) in your appetite
• Feeling guilty about the sexual abuse

If you have experienced sexual violence, your emotions and thoughts are likely to change all the time in an attempt to make sense of what happened to you. It can be confusing trying to figure it out all on your own.

If you’re struggling with finding meaning in what occurred to you, talking to hotline staff in West Flanders, Belgium might help you calm your thoughts and emotions and find a path forward. You don’t have to be alone on your journey toward recovery.

If you feel like you might need support with your experience of sexual violence, try reaching out to a hotline in West Flanders, Belgium. It's free and confidential.