I don't know what happened
A common feeling amongst survivors is not knowing whether what happened to them was a form of sexual violence or not. This can often mean survivors do not reach out for support for fear they'll be told it didn't happen.
The main thing to remember is that if someone did something sexual with you without your consent, it is a form of sexual violence and should not have happened. This is true regardless of the circumstances, the kind of relationship you had with that person, or whether it happened once or multiple times.
Talk to our team
A lot of survivors who come to our team are confused or question whether they have been sexually assaulted, especially when they do not recall any physical or verbal force being used during the incident. For these individuals, we strive to help them understand that they can still have experienced sexual violence even if no physical force was used.
Myths about sexual violence
Consent
Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent should be expressed openly and clearly. Consent is not just about verbal agreement; it should also be expressed through body language and eye contact.
Consent cannot be given by individuals who are underage, intoxicated or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious. It is not considered consent if someone agrees to something under duress, coercion, or intimidation because it was not freely given. Additionally, consent should be ongoing throughout any sexual activity and can be withdrawn at any time.
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