TW - Sex and Sexual assault
- Kira Gwatkin
- Feb 9, 2019
- 4 min read
If you have suffer any of the following an ISVA could help:
- Rape
- Sexual Abuse
- Intimate Partner Sexual Violence
- Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Organised/Ritual Sexual Abuse
- Forced Marriage
- Sexual Bullying
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Trafficking
- Online Grooming and Sexual Exploitation
What is an ISVA and what do they do?
An ISVA is an independent sexual violence adviser, her support will vary case to case depending on your requirements. However, she can:
Help you decide whether you wish to report it to the police.
Give you information about the legal process and your rights.
Support you in every stage of the legal process if you have made a report to the police.
Support you when you give evidence at court.
Assist you with contacting the police and prosecution service.
Talk with you about your situation in a safe space.
Listen to you, find out what your needs are and assist you to gain support from other agencies.
Will work with you if you do not wish to report to the police.
The ISVA can see you in your own home, in a chrysalis center or another suitable venue.
Consent!!!
Consent is the most important thing when doing anything sexual!!!
Sexual abuse is unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent. Most victims and perpetrators know each other. Immediate reactions to sexual abuse include shock, fear or disbelief. Long-term symptoms include anxiety, fear or post-traumatic stress disorder. While efforts to treat sex offenders remain unpromising, psychological interventions for survivors — especially group therapy — appears effective.
Rape is sex without consent! Perpetrators will use, force, blackmail or take advantage of people who cannot give consent (e.g. Children under 16 in the uk).
The rate of reporting, prosecuting and convicting for rape varies between jurisdictions. Internationally, the incidence of rapes recorded by the police during 2008 ranged, per 100,000 people, from 0.2 in Azerbaijan to 92.9 in Botswana with 6.3 in Lithuania as the median. Worldwide, rape is primarily committed by males. Rape by strangers is usually less common than rape by people the victim knows, and male-on-male and female-on-female prison rapes are common and may be the least reported forms of rape.
Widespread and systematic rape (e.g., war rape) and sexual slavery can occur during international conflict. These practices are crimes against humanity and war crimes. Rape is also recognized as an element of the crime of genocide when committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a targeted ethnic group.
People who have been raped can be traumatized and develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Serious injuries can result along with the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. A person may face violence or threats from the rapist, and, in some cultures, from the victim's family and relatives.
Sexual assault is the "umbrella" term for Rape and sexual abuse.
CONSENT IS KEY!!!
NO GLOVE NO LOVE!!!
Still Unsure?
Watch the video below, it should help you understand a little better.
Tea and Consent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZwvrxVavnQ
Abuse thrives on secrecy. Often threats or bribes are used to maintain compliance.
Speaking out and acknowledge what has happened to you is very important of healing.
PLEASE REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
1 IN 4 Women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
85,000 Women are raped and 400,000 Women will experience sexual assault every year in England and Wales.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR A RAPE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT!!!
Where can I get Support?
There are so many places to get help, these are a few
- Torfaen Women's Aid
Website: www.torfaenwomensaid.org.uk
Email: info@torfaenwomensaid.org.uk
- ChildLine
HelpLine: 0800 1111
All Wales Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence
HelpLine: 0808 80 10 800
Samaritans
HelpLine: 08457 909090
NSPCC
Call: 0808 800 5000
Text: 88858
MOSAC
HelpLine: 0800 980 1958
C.A.L.L
Offers a confidential Listening and support service for those concerned about their mental health.
Call: 0800 132 731
Text: Help to 81066
National Self Harm Network
Call: 0800 622 6000
If it reassures you guys that you're not alone, I will tell you my story.
First, I need to tell you I have 3 half brothers...
I was 7 years old and continued until I was 9 years old. When it first happened, one of my half brothers were staying over and he told me to go up stairs with him, so I did and didn't think anything of it. But then he started taking of my clothes on my lower body, I was confused but thought he's my older brother he won't hurt me. Oh, how was wrong...
He then proceeded to undo his jeans to expose himself to me. Again, I was really confused and didn't know what was happening but he put his penis inside my bottom... I didn't know I was raped until I was about 12 years old. Unfortunately this wasn't the only thing I went through at this time in my life, another of my brothers sexually assaulted me. I'm not going to say anymore about that, but I have been sexually assaulted several times since then by men on public transport.
There is a now a movement called #MeToo and this is for anyone who has been suffered any type of sexual assault. It is a community, it makes me feel like I'm not alone.
Anyway, thanks for reading, I hope this helps someone out there...
REMEMBER: It is YOUR body and YOU decides what happens to you.
You can ALWAYS contact me, I'm ALWAYS here for anyone who wants/needs to talk to someone x
Comments