Sexual Abuse and Violence

New Sexual Abuse publicity poster released December 2022 – click here

Sexual abuse is any sort of sexual contact against your will or without consent. Sexual abuse can happen to women, men and children of any age, but young women can be especially at risk.

Sexual abuse by a partner/intimate can include:

  • Sexual insults or taunting, calling you sexual names
  • Insisting on sexual acts which make you feel degraded or humiliated
  • Using pressure, threats or violence to make you take part in sex
  • Deliberately causing unwanted physical pain during sex
  • Forcing you to have sex after a physical assault
  • Using objects, toys, or other items without consent and to cause pain or humiliation
  • Sexual acts when you can’t consent because sleeping or drunk
  • Tying you up or other bondage/S&M when you haven’t willingly agreed or ignoring agreed limits or safe words if you have
  • Refusal to use contraception
  • Deliberately passing on sexual diseases or infections
  • Forcing you to watch pornography
  • Forcing you to have sex with other people
  • Forcing you to work as a prostitute

Sexual assault and rape are crimes, even if you are married or in a relationship with the abuser. You have the right to say no to anything you feel uncomfortable with or to stop during sex.

What is rape?

Woman3Rape is defined as the non-consensual (without permission) penetration of the vagina, mouth or anus, by the penis.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault by touching is the deliberate non-consensual and sexual touching of another person. Sexual assault by penetration is non-consensual, intentional insertion of an object other than the penis into the vagina or anus.

Support for Rape and Sexual Assault

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can go to Sexual Assault Referral Centre for South Yorkshire. Appointments must be made be telephoning: 0330 223 0938 (or 0330 223 0099 if out of office hours)
It is for women and men . They can offer counselling and forensic examination in a safe, confidential environment.

SRASAC: Contact 0114 241 2766
Counselling and support for women and men 16+, who are survivors of rape or sexual violence whether recently or in the past.

Rape Crisis: 0808 802 9999
National website and helpline for women.

Rights of Women:  020 7251 8887
includes Criminal Law advice line (given number) for advice around rape and sexual assault. They also have a Family Law advice line 020 7251 6577 for advice around domestic abuse, child contact etc.

Includes From Report To Court, a handbook for adult survivors of domestic violence

Survivors UK: 0845 122 1201
National advice line for men who have been sexually assaulted or abused