What is sexual violence?

Sexual violence can include anything sexual that makes you feel scared or uncomfortable. Some other words used to describe forms of sexual violence are sexual assault, sexual abuse and rape. These words have a general meaning and a legal meaning. On this website we use the general meaning of these words.

What forms can sexual violence take?

Sexual coercion

Sexual coercion is when someone pressures or tricks you into doing sexual things when you don't want to. It involves behaviour that may not always be criminal, but is usually abusive in some way. Sexual coercion can include someone:

• Saying they’ll leave you or have sex with someone else if you don't have sex with them
• Trying to get you to drink more than you want to so you'll agree to sex
• Making you feel guilty for not having sex when they want
• Telling you it’s your duty to have sex with them
• Saying that you owe them
• Making you feel scared to refuse because of what they might do. This might be a fear of physical violence, but can also include fears of them saying bad things about you to others, sharing private or damaging information about you on the internet, or taking away support, money, children or pets.
• Saying they will get you out of debt, provide you with drugs, let you stay at their house, or help you with a problem if you have sex with them
• Holding you down, yelling at you or trying to scare you into having sex

Sexual coercion can happen with all kinds of people, including people you are in a relationship with. For more information on the signs of an unhealthy relationship, see our Healthy relationships page.

Reporting to the police

If you have experienced sexual violence you may find it hard to decide whether or not to report it to the police. You may want the perpetrator caught and stopped from doing it again, and also be worried about how upsetting the reporting process will be. The most important thing is that you make the best decision for you.

If you do decide to make a formal report, know that procedures have been put in place to support you and reduce distress. Talking to a trusted friend or family member or a sexual assault service may help you make your decision. You can find a sexual assault service in your area by searching our Service directory.

If you decide not to report to the police you can still provide information to help. The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault has a website called S.A.R.A where you can report a sexual assault anonymously. The information you provide will be passed on to police all over Australia with any information that identifies you removed. This will help the police to identify trends and make communities safer.

What does it mean to consent?

Other things to know about consent

How can I support someone?

When someone experiences sexual violence, the people they choose to talk to about it play an important role. Having a supportive family member, friend or co-worker can make a big difference. It can be hard to know how to respond and you may be worried about doing the wrong thing. There are some simple things you can do and the following information will help you respond. 

If you are unsure about the best way to support someone, you can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or through our online chat. You can also visit our Service directory to find local sexual assault support services.

Believe

When someone tells you they have experienced sexual violence you should believe them. It’s normal to want to ask lots of questions, but this can make the other person feel uncomfortable. It may also make them feel that they are not believed. Before asking, listen.

Listen

Some people want to talk about what happened to them straight away and some people do not. Listen without interrupting or talking too much, and don’t judge when they are ready to talk.

Never blame

A person who has experienced sexual violence is never to blame for what happened. It doesn’t matter what a person was wearing or if they were drunk or on drugs, sexual violence is never OK. Someone's age, cultural background or relationship to the person or people who hurt them are never excuses for sexual violence.

Ask before you touch

After experiencing sexual violence some people do not want to be touched. As a support person, you may want to offer comfort by putting your arm around them or giving them a hug. It is important to ask first. Physical touching without seeking the person’s permission may bring back bad memories from the assault.

Help explore options

It's important that someone who has been sexually assaulted has as much control as possible over what they do next. You can help by finding out about support services and how to use them. After an assault it can be difficult to think about these things straight away. Your support with finding and contacting services can be a good place to start if this is something they want to do.

You can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or through online chat for referral to appropriate services. You can also visit our Service directory to find specialist support services in your area.

Get help for yourself if you need it

It’s normal to feel upset when a person close to you goes through something violent and traumatic. Don't ignore how you are feeling — ask for help when you need it. As a support person, you can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 on through online chat. To find a specialist sexual assault service in your area you can search our Service directory. 

Reporting to the police

It can be a hard choice to report to the police. People can have lots of reasons why they want to report but can also be very worried about it. A person who has experienced sexual assault may decide not to report to police, or not to have a medical or examination. This is their choice and must be respected.

If the person you are supporting does want to make a report, it can be helpful to have the support of someone who knows how the system works. This gives the person who has experienced the assault more control and choice.

Legal language can be confusing, always ask questions if there is something you don’t understand. A sexual assault service can help with information on reporting the assault and the law in your state or territory. You can find a sexual assault service in your area by searching our Service directory.

When must I report?

There are some circumstances in which the law says a person must report sexual abuse that they become aware of. This is called mandatory reporting and it is important to be aware of your responsibilities in this area.

In every state and territory certain people are required by law to report sexual abuse against people up to the age of 18. In Victoria and the Northern Territory this is required of any adult. For more information on mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect (including sexual abuse) see the Australian Institute of Family Studies Mandatory Reporting Resource Sheet.

Some states also have mandatory reporting laws for sexual abuse that takes place in residential services, such as psychiatric, aged care, and other government-run facilities. This applies even if the person who has experienced the abuse is an adult. In some cases, having a reasonable suspicion that sexual abuse has or may take place is enough to require you to report it.

To clearly understand your responsibilities when it comes to mandatory reporting it is best to get personal advice. Search our Service directory for a legal service in your state or territory that can provide free advice on your mandatory reporting requirements.