Helplines in South Africa.

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

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 through your experience can help. Reach out to any of 6 hotlines that support with sexual abuse, assault and harassment in South Africa if you experienced:

Examples of sexual violence:

• Repeated unwanted sexual attention or advances, including in your workplace or by your employer
• An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
• Being forced or coerced to have sex without protection from sexually transmitted diseases
• Being filmed or photographed nude or in a sexually explicit way without your permission
• Being exposed to a violent, hurtful sexual act without your permission
• Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
• Rape by more than one person (gang rape) or rape by the same person over a period of time (serial rape)
• Being kissed or touched without your consent or being made, by coercion or force, to touch or kiss someone

Effects of sexual violence:

• Losing trust in people in general
• Having flashbacks about the sexual abuse
• Feeling depressed and hopeless, with suicidal thoughts
• A strong need to withdraw from socializing
• Feeling edgy and fearful, especially around people who resemble the abuser in any way
• Minimizing the abuse as not being as severe as someone else’s
• Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
• An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively

As a victim of sexual violence you could be feeling furious, desperate, revengeful, hopeless, and empty, all at the same time. This is a perfectly normal response to such a traumatizing event.

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 South Africa could help you feel less isolated.

Consider contacting a hotline in South Africa right away for free, private help with sexual abuse, assault and harassment