Helplines in West Sussex, England.

Have you experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Get confidential support from a hotline in West Sussex, England

Sexual abuse is the use of coercion, force, or unequal positions to make you engage in any form of unwanted sexual activity. Anyone in West Sussex, England – 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 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 West Sussex, England if you face:

Examples of sexual violence:

• 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 abuse or assault from someone in your family (incest)
• Being used sexually in a way that is humiliating
• Being used sexually while you were very drunk, drugged, unconscious, or unable to say NO
• Catcalls and whistles that make you feel uncomfortable or objectified
• Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
• Being forced or coerced to have sex without protection from sexually transmitted diseases

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

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.

After surviving sexual violence, you might believe no one will understand your feelings. However, there are people in West Sussex, England who will give their best to understand you. Speaking freely about what you experienced could help you heal faster.

Consider contacting a hotline in West Sussex, England right away for free, private help with sexual abuse, assault and harassment