Helplines in Northland, New Zealand.

Are you experiencing sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Contact a free hotline in Northland, New Zealand 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.

If you’re struggling with sexual abuse, assault or harassment, there are 1 hotlines in Northland, New Zealand 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 overwhelmed with a range of emotions, like anger, fear, numbness
• An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively
• Feeling guilty about the sexual abuse
• Having nightmares about the sexual abuse you experienced
• Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you
• Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
• Minimizing the abuse as not being as severe as someone else’s
• 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.

Surviving and recovering from sexual violence can be a very lonely process. Especially if you struggle with all the different thoughts and emotions that you’re having a hard time controlling. This is why reaching out to helpline staff in Northland, New Zealand could help you feel less isolated.

If you are victim of sexual abuse, assault or harassment, consider contacting a helpline in Northland, New Zealand for free, confidential help.