Helplines in Gambia.

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

Regardless of whether you're a woman, man or child in Gambia, if someone has used coercion, power or force to make you engage in unwanted sexual activity, you were a victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a form of sexual violence, which is any sexual activity without consent. Other forms of sexual violence are sexual assault, such as rape and unwanted touching, and sexual harassment, which is unwelcome sexual behavior.

If you’re struggling with sexual abuse, assault or harassment, there are 1 hotlines in Gambia you can contact. Everyone’s experience is unique, as well as the path towards recovery. However, hotline volunteers could help you for free if you are experiencing or have experienced:

Examples of sexual violence:

• Being kissed or touched without your consent or being made, by coercion or force, to touch or kiss someone
• Someone making degrading or offensive comments about your body or sexuality, or using sexual terms and language in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable
• Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
• Being used sexually in a way that is humiliating
• Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
• Being exposed to a violent, hurtful sexual act without your permission
• An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
• Rape by more than one person (gang rape) or rape by the same person over a period of time (serial rape)

Effects of sexual violence:

• Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
• Not being able to fall or stay asleep
• Having nightmares about the sexual abuse you experienced
• Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
• Feeling guilty about the sexual abuse
• Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you
• Feeling overwhelmed with a range of emotions, like anger, fear, numbness
• Feeling dirty, damaged, and broken

Sexual violence could provoke many ways of coping, some more and some less healthy. You may go through many different feelings, responses, and stages of recovery until you fully heal.

If you’re struggling with finding meaning in what occurred to you, talking to hotline staff in Gambia 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 Gambia right away for free, private help with sexual abuse, assault and harassment