Sexual assault is any act of physical, psychological and emotional violence in the form of a sexual act.
This could be touching someone without their consent or using an object to penetrate them or forcing them to take part in any sexual activity. It can involve forcing or manipulating someone to witness or participate in any sexual acts.
Not all cases of sexual assault involve violence, cause physical injury, or leave visible marks but can still have a long-term profound effect on the victim. Sexual assault can cause severe distress and emotional harm, which can take a long time to recover from. Some people who have been sexually assaulted experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Sometimes victims of sexual assault are reluctant to report if there are no physical injuries, so may not seek or get help, which makes the healing process more difficult. It does not matter whether you have any physical injuries, you can get help by:
- Reporting to the Police
- Going to a SARC
- Calling IDAS and asking to speak with an ISVA
