Sexual abuse is the use of coercion, force, or unequal positions to make you engage in any form of unwanted sexual activity. Anyone in Iowa, United States – 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 3 hotlines in Iowa, United States 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 coerced, threatened or forced to perform any sort of sexual activity
Being filmed or photographed nude or in a sexually explicit way without your permission
Being kissed or touched without your consent or being made, by coercion or force, to touch or kiss someone
An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
Catcalls and whistles that make you feel uncomfortable or objectified
Being forced or coerced to have sex without protection from sexually transmitted diseases
Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading

Effects of sexual violence:

Not being able to fall or stay asleep
Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
Engaging in self-harm or self-mutilation
A strong need to withdraw from socializing
An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively
Feeling overwhelmed with a range of emotions, like anger, fear, numbness
Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you

Everyone responds to experiencing sexual violence differently. It’s perfectly normal to go through very different emotions in a single day. Still, trying to cope with this on your own can be extremely difficult.

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 Iowa, United States could help you feel less isolated.

If you feel like you might need support with your experience of sexual violence, try reaching out to a hotline in Iowa, United States. It's free and confidential.