Helplines in Southland, New Zealand.

Are you experiencing sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Contact a free hotline in Southland, 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 are a victim of sexual violence, talking about your experience with people who understand can help you recover. Seek free help from 1 sexual abuse, assault and harassment hotlines in Southland, New Zealand if you face:

Examples of sexual violence:

• Being used sexually in a way that is humiliating
• Sexual abuse or assault from someone in your family (incest)
• 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
• Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
• Being exposed to a violent, hurtful sexual act without your permission
• Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
• Catcalls and whistles that make you feel uncomfortable or objectified
• An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent

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

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.

Coping with the trauma of sexual violence can be even harder if you are trying to do it on your own. There is no right or wrong way to recover from the abuse. However, having someone to talk to in Southland, New Zealand can make the process easier.

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