Sexual abuse

Definition

Sexual violence is a general term used to describe any unwanted sexual activity and includes any act by violence, coercion or manipulation, regardless of the relationship to the victim and may include:

Rape
Sexual assault
Incest
Sexual exploitation
Unwanted or inappropriate contact
Sexual harassment
Revenge porn
Exposure
Threats
Stalking/cyberstalking.

Sexual violence happens when someone forces you to have sex or commit a sexual act without your consent, including incidents that happen online or virtually.

Sexual violence does not have to involve any kind of weapon or physical violence or leave you with physical injuries. If you didn’t try to scream or run away that does not mean it wasn’t sexual violence – it’s really common for people in this situation to find themselves unable to speak or move.

If you’re under the influence of either drugs or alcohol, you cannot consent to a sexual act. If you are assaulted once under the influence, this is a criminal offence.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted or raped, it’s important to remember that it isn’t your fault.

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003:

Sexual assault is defined as sexual touching without consent and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Rape is defined as someone with a penis penetrating another person’s vagina, anus or mouth without consent, and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Assault by penetration is defined as someone penetrating another person’s vagina, anus or mouth with something other than a penis, without their consent, and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Examples

Sexual assault can involve the touching of skin, clothing or the use of something else to touch skin or clothing.
Unwanted kissing.
Touching someone’s genitals, breasts or bottom – including through clothing without consent.
Touching any other part of the body for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner – for example, stroking someone’s thigh or rubbing their back without consent.
Pressing up against another person for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner without consent.
The perpetrator making someone else touch them in a sexual manner without consent.
Touching someone’s clothing if done for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner – for example, lifting up someone’s skirt without consent.
Stealthing. Someone removes a condom without the other person’s permission – or lies about putting one on.
Keeping someone pregnant in order to make them feel reliant on them.
Forcing a pregnancy or abortion.
Making someone feel guilty if they don’t want to have sex with them.
Making someone feel guilty if they don’t have sex in a certain way.
Spiking or using drugs to engage in sexual activity.
Cyber flashing and “dick pics”

Statistics

Approximately 90% of those who are raped, know the perpetrator prior to the offence.

Only 3% of rapes and sexual assaults are false allegations.

In 2018, 2,007 sexual offences were reported to police in Devon and Torbay.

Only between 10% -15% of sexual offences are reported to the police meaning in 2018 in Devon and Torbay the actual number of incidents is likely to be over 20,000.

The above means that an estimated 20,000 rapes and sexual assaults go unreported in Devon and Torbay each year.

Safety Advice

Immediate harm:

Contact 999 if a person who is being abused feels that they are at risk of serious harm or homicide.
If the person who is being abused needs to be removed from their home for safety please contact their local housing department to make a homeless referral or contact Our refuges – Refuge or via their national helpline: 08002000247.
If a person is considered not to have the mental capacity or ability to make safe choices, make a referral to adult safeguarding services in your area.
If children are involved and at risk, make a safeguarding referral to your local team.
If there is an imminent risk of suicide or self harm, please refer the person being abused to: First Response Service | DPT by calling 08081968708. You may also need to call 999 and ask for ambulance or police.
If the person who is being abused is looking to involve the police and collect evidence, it is important to attend a Sexual assault referral centre ASAP, please advise the victim not to shower or change clothes. Home – Devon & Cornwall SARC – NHS (sarchelp.co.uk)

Ongoing:

Advise the person being abused to record incidents of abuse for future safeguarding, it may also help them to recognise a larger pattern of behaviour.
Refer them to their local domestic abuse services or sexual violence services for ongoing support.
Ask the person who is being abused to talk to someone they trust about the abuse.
It may be helpful for the person being abused to discuss the impact of sexual abuse with their GP or local sexual health clinic.

I want to leave my relationship safely – Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk)