Helplines in Ontario, Canada.
Hotlines are available in Ontario, Canada for the victims of sexual abuse, assault and harassment. It's free and confidential.
Regardless of whether you're a woman, man or child in Ontario, Canada, if someone has used coercion, power or force to make you engage in unwanted sexual activity, you were a victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a form of sexual violence, which is any sexual activity without consent. Other forms of sexual violence are sexual assault, such as rape and unwanted touching, and sexual harassment, which is unwelcome sexual behavior.
There are many people throughout the world who struggle to overcome the aftermath of sexual violence. If you are one of them, getting the right kind of help can make all the difference. In Ontario, Canada there are 31 hotlines you can contact for support with sexual abuse, assault or harassment. Reach out if you have experienced any of the following:
Examples of sexual violence:
- Being coerced, threatened or forced to perform any sort of sexual activity
- Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
- An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
- Experiencing an attempted rape or sodomy
- Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
- Being used sexually while you were very drunk, drugged, unconscious, or unable to say NO
- 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:
- Not being able to fall or stay asleep
- Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
- Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
- Engaging in self-harm or self-mutilation
- A strong need to withdraw from socializing
- An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively
- Feeling overwhelmed with a range of emotions, like anger, fear, numbness
- Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you
Sexual violence could provoke many ways of coping, some more and some less healthy. You may go through many different feelings, responses, and stages of recovery until you fully heal.
When you’re on your path to surviving sexual violence and its aftermath, it helps to know that there are people who can relate. People in Ontario, Canada who went through similar experiences could make your recovery easier and quicker.
If you are victim of sexual abuse, assault or harassment, consider contacting a helpline in Ontario, Canada for free, confidential help.
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