Helplines in BLA, Northern Ireland.

Are you experiencing sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Contact a free hotline in BLA, Northern Ireland for 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.

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 BLA, Northern Ireland 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 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
• Losing trust in people in general
• Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
• Minimizing the abuse as not being as severe as someone else’s
• Feeling edgy and fearful, especially around people who resemble the abuser in any way
• An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively
• Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you
• Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the sexual abuse

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.

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 BLA, Northern Ireland who went through similar experiences could make your recovery easier and quicker.

For free and confidential support with sexual assault, abuse and harassment, consider contacting a hotline in BLA, Northern Ireland today.