Helplines in Sierra Leone for sexual abuse.

Are you a victim of sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Get free, confidential support from a hotline in Sierra Leone

Regardless of whether you're a woman, man or child in Sierra Leone, 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.

There are many people throughout the world who struggle to overcome the aftermath of sexual violence. If you are one of them, getting the right kind of help can make all the difference. In Sierra Leone there are 1 hotlines you can contact for support with sexual abuse, assault or harassment. Reach out if you have experienced 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:

• A decline in your physical and mental health
• Not being able to fall or stay asleep
• Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
• Minimizing the abuse as not being as severe as someone else’s
• Feeling depressed and hopeless, with suicidal thoughts
• Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
• Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the sexual abuse
• Having flashbacks about 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.

If you’re struggling with finding meaning in what occurred to you, talking to hotline staff in Sierra Leone 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.

For free and confidential support with sexual assault, abuse and harassment, consider contacting a hotline in Sierra Leone today.