What is Sexual Violence?

Sexual violence is any unwanted sexual act or activity. It includes a wide range of experiences such as rape, sexual abuse (including in childhood), sexual assault, sexual harassment, forced marriage, so-called honour-based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), trafficking, and sexual exploitation (including child sexual exploitation), among others.

Sexual violence can be committed by a stranger, but it is often carried out by someone known and trusted, such as a friend, colleague, family member, partner, or ex-partner. It can happen to anyone. No one ever deserves or asks for it to happen.

The responsibility for sexual violence lies entirely with the perpetrator(s). There is no excuse for sexual violence; it can never be justified.

If you have experienced rape or any form of sexual violence—no matter when it happened, where you were, what you were wearing, or whether alcohol or drugs were involved—it was not your fault.

If you think you may have experienced sexual violence, support and information are available in the Need Help section of this website, or you can contact us to speak confidentially.