Helplines in Ireland for sexual abuse.

Hotlines are available in Ireland for the victims of sexual abuse, assault and harassment. It's free and confidential.

Sexual abuse is the use of coercion, force, or unequal positions to make you engage in any form of unwanted sexual activity. Anyone in Ireland – women, men or children – can be a victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a form of sexual violence, which includes sexual assault, such as rape or unwanted touching, and sexual harassment, which is unwelcome, intimidating or offensive sexual behavior.

If you’re struggling with sexual abuse, assault or harassment, there are 10 hotlines in Ireland 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 spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
• Repeated unwanted sexual attention or advances, including in your workplace or by your employer
• Being used sexually while you were very drunk, drugged, unconscious, or unable to say NO
• Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
• Being forced or coerced to have sex without protection from sexually transmitted diseases
• Sexual abuse or assault from someone in your family (incest)
• Being coerced, threatened or forced to perform any sort of sexual activity
• Being kissed or touched without your consent or being made, by coercion or force, to touch or kiss someone

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

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.

If you’re struggling with finding meaning in what occurred to you, talking to hotline staff in 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 are ready to talk to someone about your experience of sexual abuse, assault or harassment, you can contact a hotline in Ireland for free and confidential support.