What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact. It can include kissing, touching, grabbing, and sexual intercourse. Sexual assault is an act of violence and power, not an act of passion, love or even sex.

Each person reacts differently to sexual assault. Some common feelings are:

• fear, anger, depression, guilt;
• sleeping and eating problems;
• feeling "numb" or "flat";
• not wanting physical or sexual contact; and
• difficulty coping with the demands of daily life.

Whether you feel all, some, or none of these feelings, your reaction is normal.

Date Rape Awareness: No Means No website

The decision to report sexual assault to the police is up to you. Charges can be brought against any person who sexually assaults, including a partner, acquaintance or stranger.

If you decide to report the attack to the police, you may do so at any time. There is no time limit to report a crime to the police. Try not to destroy evidence by washing, showering, combing hair, or changing your clothes so you can report the assault to the police.

Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres website

How Can You Help a Friend Who Has Been Assaulted?

• Believe your friend.
• Listen without doing or saying anything that suggests judgment or blame.
• Communicate clearly the message that she or he is not responsible for being sexually assaulted.
• Be willing to listen without pressuring your friend to talk in detail about the assault.
• Refrain from prying into the details of the violence committed against her or him, since being forced to recollect the experience may cause a great deal of pain.

Above all, be there to provide support in whatever way you can.

ASSAULTED WOMEN'S HELP LINE
24 hour crisis line:
Telephone: 416-863-0511
Toll free: 1-866-863-0511
TTY: 416-364-8762
TTY toll free: 1-866-863-7868

VICTIM SUPPORT LINE
Telephone: 416-314-2447
Toll free: 1-888-579-2888

KIDS' HELP LINE
Toll free: 1-800-668-6868

FOR A RAPE CRISIS CENTRE IN YOUR COMMUNITY:
Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres website