Wednesday 10-03-2021 - 16:27

What is Sexual Violence?

Sexual Violence can impact anyone at any point of their life regardless of their age, gender, social background, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, disability or sexuality.

Sexual Violence is a term used to encompass any type of unwanted sexual act or activity, including rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and many others.

No one is exempt from sexual violence, it can happen to anyone, at any stage of their lives.
Whether someone experienced sexual violence a long time ago, recently or aren’t sure what happened, it is important to remember, it is never a survivor’s fault.

The responsibility lies solely with their perpetrator.

Sexual Violence can be perpetrated by a stranger or by someone known like a friend, family member, partner or colleague.

Worldwide stats show that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.

Myth Buster

Myth: Rape can be an act of lust and passion.

Fact: Rape is about power and control and is not motivated by sexual gratification.

Myth: If she brought him back to the hotel room, she had intention so it’s not his fault?

Fact: At any point consent can be withdrawn, even during sexual intercourse.

Myth: If a victim of sexual assault does not fight back, they must have thought the assault was not that bad or they wanted it.

Fact: Many survivors experience tonic immobility, often known as a ‘freeze’ response during an assault where they physically cannot move or speak.

Myth: A lot of victims lie about being raped or give false reports.

Fact: Only 2-6% of rapes are falsely reported, the same percentage for any other crime.

Myth: A person cannot rape their partner or spouse.

Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Myth:  Sexual Violence doesn’t happen by people you know.

Fact:   90% of perpetrators are people we know.

Effects of Sexual Violence

Whether you or someone you know was raped, sexually assaulted or abused recently or historically, this may be impacting you or them in various ways.

Emotions:

• Guilt, self- blame, shame.
• Embarrassment and sadness.
• Confusion, shock and disbelief.
• Numbness and anger.
• Vulnerability and lack of control.
• Denial.
• Disengaged with normal routine or relationships.
• You may feel suicidal.

Psychological:

• Flashbacks.
• Nightmares.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Anxiety and depression.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Substance abuse.
• Mental Health diagnosis i.e., Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Physical:

• Changes in sleeping or eating.
• Self-harm / self-Injury
• Pregnancy, STI or HIV.
• Physical injuries.
• Orgasm (This is a body reaction, this does not mean you gave consent or enjoyed it).

Everyone’s experience of Sexual Violence is different. How people react in that moment is their body’s natural reaction to trauma, it’s something we cannot control. Freeze, Flight, Fight or Friend responses are commonly referred to as the body’s automatic, built in reactions to danger or fear. These are natural survival responses and under no circumstances is this consent.

If you have been sexually assaulted, it is important to remember that it was not your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.

If you have been sexually assaulted

If you've been sexually assaulted, there are services that can help. You don't have to report the assault to police if you don't want to. You may need time to think about what has happened to you. However, consider getting medical help as soon as possible, because you may be at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

If you want the crime to be investigated, the sooner a forensic medical examination takes place, the better.

Try not to wash or change your clothes immediately after a sexual assault. This may destroy forensic evidence that could be important if you decide to report the assault to the police.

Where you go for help will depend on what's available in your area and what you want to

do. For specialist medical attention and sexual violence support, whether you decide to have a forensic medical examination or not, your first point of call is a sexual assault referral centre (SARC).

The nearest SARC to Bolton is Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester. Their 24 hour contact number is 0161 276 6515.

Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre

St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated forensic, counselling and aftercare service to men, women and children living in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire area who have experienced rape or sexual assault, whether this has happened recently or in the past.

We understand that you may be feeling scared and frightened and that you may not feel able to trust anyone. At the Saint Mary’s Centre our main aim is to provide you with information, choice and control on what will happen to you. We want you to feel comfortable with the decisions you take. We will support you in your choices, whatever they may be.

For more information on support available to you please see our page signposting national, local and on campus support.

www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/

www.uksaysnomore.org