Helplines in Västra Götaland, Sweden.

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

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’ve experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment, you might be experiencing intense rage and fear, or you may feel numb. There are 1 hotlines in Västra Götaland, Sweden who support the victims of sexual violence. Consider getting some support if you recognize any of the following:

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:

• Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
• Feeling depressed and hopeless, with suicidal thoughts
• Changes (either loss or increase) in your appetite
• Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you
• Feeling edgy and fearful, especially around people who resemble the abuser in any way
• Losing trust in people in general
• Not being able to fall or stay asleep
• An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively

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.

When you’re on your path to surviving sexual violence and its aftermath, it helps to know that there are people who can relate. People in Västra Götaland, Sweden who went through similar experiences could make your recovery easier and quicker.

If you are ready to talk to someone about your experience of sexual abuse, assault or harassment, you can contact a hotline in Västra Götaland, Sweden for free and confidential support.