Helplines in Gisborne, New Zealand.

Are you a victim of sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Get free, confidential support from a hotline in Gisborne, New Zealand

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 1 hotlines that support with sexual abuse, assault and harassment in Gisborne, New Zealand if you experienced:

Examples of sexual violence:

• Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
• 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
• An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
• Repeated unwanted sexual attention or advances, including in your workplace or by your employer
• Being forced or coerced to have sex without protection from sexually transmitted diseases
• Being exposed to a violent, hurtful sexual act without your permission
• Being filmed or photographed nude or in a sexually explicit way without your permission

Effects of sexual violence:

• A decline in your physical and mental health
• Losing trust in people in general
• Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
• Minimizing the abuse as not being as severe as someone else’s
• Feeling edgy and fearful, especially around people who resemble the abuser in any way
• An urge to use alcohol, drugs, or gamble excessively
• Feeling as if everyone could see what happened to you
• Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the sexual abuse

If you have experienced sexual violence, your emotions and thoughts are likely to change all the time in an attempt to make sense of what happened to you. It can be confusing trying to figure it out all on your own.

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

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