Are you experiencing sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Contact a free hotline in Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland for confidential support
If you are in Mid Ulster, 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 Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland if you experienced:
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:
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
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 Mid Ulster, 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.
If you feel like you might need support with your experience of sexual violence, try reaching out to a hotline in Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland. It's free and confidential.