Help if you have been sexually abused

This page is for people aged 13 years and older.

If you are younger than 13 an want to learn about sexual abuse, you can talk to a trusted adult or learn about it on the Childline website.

You can also contact Childline.

Sexual abuse is against the law.

It is important to tell a person you trust if sexual abuse has happened to you.

There are people who can help.

Move down the page to find out more about sexual abuse and how to get help.

Sexual abuse is never your fault.

When a person touches someone’s private parts sexually, or kisses them without their consent this is called sexual assault.

This can also be called sexual abuse.

When someone puts their penis in your vagina, mouth or anus, without your consent, this is called rape.

This can also be called sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse can happen within relationships.

It is never okay for sexual touching or any kind of sexual activity to happen without your consent.

Threatening to hurt someone to make them have sex with you is sexual abuse.

Threatening to take money away from someone to make them have sex with you is sexual abuse.

Threatening to share someone’s nudes or tell people their secrets to make them have sex with you is sexual abuse.

Someone who takes care of you as their job, for example:

• support worker or carer
• nurse
• doctor
• youth worker

is not allowed to have sex with you or touch you sexually.

This is sexual abuse.

Tell a person you trust if sexual abuse has happened to you.

This could be a:

• doctor or nurse
• police officer
• teacher
• support worker
• parent or carer

Sexual abuse is against the law.

Learn more about what the law says.

Move down the page to get help if you have been sexually abused.

If you have been sexually abused, sexually assaulted or raped it is important to get medical help.

Rape and some kinds of sexual assault can cause pregnancy or sexual infections.

If you are worried about  getting pregnant you may want to get emergency contraception.

If you are worried about sexual infections you can get testing for sexual infections

Your test results are confidential.

You can get help and any tests that you need from your:

• GP (Doctor)

You can get help and any tests that you need from your:

• local sexual health clinic.

Find a sexual health service near me

You can help from:

Rape Crisis Scotland

Get in touch any day between 5pm – midnight:

Call: 08088 01 03 02

Text: 07537 410 027

Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

You can help from:

The STAR project

They support young people 12-21 years old, who have experienced any kind of sexual harm, something that they did not want or did not feel okay.

If you do not know what to do or where to go after a rape or sexual assault (sexual abuse).

You can speak to:

The sexual assault response co-ordination service (SARCS).

Find out how SARCS can support you.

SARCS have an easy read leaflet:

Where can I get support after I have been raped or sexually assaulted (sexually abuse).

You can download it here.

Sexual abuse, sexual assault and rape is against the law.

If someone rapes or sexually assaults you, that person has broken the law.

You can tell the police you have been sexually abused.

• Phone 999 if you are in danger
• Phone  101

The police can help you get the support you need.

Remember sexual abuse, sexual assault and rape are never your fault.