What is Sexual Violence?

Sexual violence means any form of unwanted sexual contact. You may hear different words for the varying forms of sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse or sexual harassment. Other forms of sexual violence include stalking, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, image based abuse and organised and ritual abuse.

Everyone is affected differently by sexual violence. There is no right or wrong way to feel. How you feel, and what you want to do, depend on your own experience.

No matter what happened, it is not your fault

Whatever happened, no matter what you were wearing or how you were behaving, you are not to blame. If someone has harmed you, it is not your fault. The person who harmed you is responsible.

Everyone is affected differently by sexual violence. This is no right or wrong way to feel. How you feel, and what you want to do, depend on your own experience.

Whatever you may feel now or whatever happened, you are not to blame. If someone has harmed you, it is not your fault. Whoever harmed you is responsible. Sexual violence does not ‘just happen’. A person commits sexual violence because, at some level, they decide to do so. They had a choice about what they did.

You do not have to cope with this on your own. Western Isles Rape Crisis provides non-judgemental and confidential support and information. We will listen to what you say, believe you and treat you with respect.