Helplines in Dorset, England.

Have you experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Reach out to a sexual abuse hotline in Dorset, England today for private, confidential support

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 are a victim of sexual violence, talking about your experience with people who understand can help you recover. Seek free help from 2 sexual abuse, assault and harassment hotlines in Dorset, England if you face:

Examples of sexual violence:

• Being coerced, threatened or forced to perform any sort of sexual activity
• Being filmed or photographed nude or in a sexually explicit way without your permission
• Being kissed or touched without your consent or being made, by coercion or force, to touch or kiss someone
• An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
• Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
• Catcalls and whistles that make you feel uncomfortable or objectified
• Being forced or coerced to have sex without protection from sexually transmitted diseases
• Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading

Effects of sexual violence:

• A decline in your physical and mental health
• Minimizing the abuse as not being as severe as someone else’s
• Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the sexual abuse
• Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
• Feeling dirty, damaged, and broken
• Having flashbacks about the sexual abuse
• Feeling overwhelmed with a range of emotions, like anger, fear, numbness
• Having nightmares about the sexual abuse you experienced

Everyone deals with sexual abuse, assault or harassment differently. You may find yourself trying to cope with it in a variety of ways. However, it is perfectly natural that it takes time to heal. It was a traumatic experience, and it might take a lot of support to recover.

Surviving and recovering from sexual violence can be a very lonely process. Especially if you struggle with all the different thoughts and emotions that you’re having a hard time controlling. This is why reaching out to helpline staff in Dorset, England could help you feel less isolated.

If you are ready to talk to someone about your experience of sexual abuse, assault or harassment, you can contact a hotline in Dorset, England for free and confidential support.