Helplines in ANT, Northern Ireland.

Have you experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Get confidential support from a hotline in ANT, Northern Ireland

If you are in ANT, Northern Ireland and were in any way forced or coerced to perform an activity of sexual nature, then you are a victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a form of sexual violence. Sexual violence can also be sexual assault, such as unwanted touching or rape, and sexual harassment, which is unwelcome sexual behavior.

If you are a victim of sexual violence, talking through your experience can help. Reach out to any of 1 hotlines that support with sexual abuse, assault and harassment in ANT, Northern Ireland if you experienced:

Examples of sexual violence:

• 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 abuse or assault from someone in your family (incest)
• Being used sexually in a way that is humiliating
• Being used sexually while you were very drunk, drugged, unconscious, or unable to say NO
• Catcalls and whistles that make you feel uncomfortable or objectified
• Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
• 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.

If you’re struggling with finding meaning in what occurred to you, talking to hotline staff in ANT, Northern Ireland 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.

Consider contacting a hotline in ANT, Northern Ireland right away for free, private help with sexual abuse, assault and harassment