Helplines in West Berkshire, England.

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

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.

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 West Berkshire, England there are 1 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:

• Feeling dirty, damaged, and broken
• Changes (either loss or increase) in your appetite
• Not being able to fall or stay asleep
• Feeling ashamed for what occurred
• Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
• Having nightmares about the sexual abuse you experienced
• Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the sexual abuse
• A decline in your physical and mental health

As a victim of sexual violence you could be feeling furious, desperate, revengeful, hopeless, and empty, all at the same time. This is a perfectly normal response to such a traumatizing event.

After surviving sexual violence, you might believe no one will understand your feelings. However, there are people in West Berkshire, England who will give their best to understand you. Speaking freely about what you experienced could help you heal faster.

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