About rape and sexual abuse
10 facts about rape
What are often called rape myths are widely held beliefs that distort the facts about rape and sexual violence. These ideas can influence how people understand and respond to experiences of abuse, sometimes making it harder for victim-survivors to recognise what has happened or seek support.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a UK government organisation that runs a compensation scheme for victims of violent crime in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Trafficking
Trafficking involves moving people with the aim of exploiting them. This may include sexual violence, bonded labour, and servitude.
Online and technology-facilitated abuse
An experience of online and technology-facilitated sexual abuse can be just as devastating as an experience of abuse that has happened offline.
FGM
Procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
Child abuse
Child abuse is when a child in harmed by an adult or child. This could be once or over an extended period of time. This harm may be physical, sexual or emotional.
Child sexual exploitation
Sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves situations and relationships where young people receive ‘something’ as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities.
For partners
Information and advice for people who are supporting a partner who has experienced rape or sexual assault.
What you may be feeling
Information and support for victim-survivor’s family and friends, who may experience many of the same emotions.
How you can help
The most important and simple thing you can do to help a victim-survivor is to listen and believe.
How can I tell people what happened?
It is up to you who you do and don’t tell about what has happened. Some people will want to tell their parents, partner, friends or a professional (like a GP or support worker) and some people won’t. It’s important that you do what is best for you.
Have I been raped or sexually assaulted?
You can call SARSAS, whatever you have experienced, and you do not need to be involved with the police or criminal justice system.
Sarah’s Law
A law for anyone who wants to find out if a person who has contact with a child, has a record of child sexual offences.
