Your guide to Heidelberg Gauteng
HEIDELBERG COMMUNITY & ASSISTANCE HUB
Get crisis help or support local welfare initiatives. Find Heidelberg shelters, gender-based violence lifelines and child protection services. Hello Heidelberg invites organisations, institutions and help centres to list their details for free to offer accessible information and help to anyone in Heidelberg.
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
1000 Women Trust
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+27 61 469 0479
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a South African Women's Rights Organisation dedicated to combating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). For over two decades, we've been empowering GBV Community Organisations nationwide, advocating for change and resilience.
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0819
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
FAMSA Families South Africa
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(016) 933 8128
084 563 7173
We provide a confidential service and a safe place where counsellors listen empathetically to clients, encouraging them to tell their stories and express their feelings.
WE DO COUNSELLING FOR:
Relationship Issues
Marriage Problems
Conflict and Anger Management
Trauma
Loss through Death, Divorce or Illness
WE WORK WITH
Individuals
Couples
Parents
Children
Teenagers
Siblings
Families
Groups
Communities
WE OFFER BASIC TRAINING IN:
Communication skills
Dealing with loss/ domestic violence and trauma,
Conflict and Anger, Management,
Parenting Skills
Leadership Skills.
52 President Boshoff St, Vanderbijlpark S. E. 1, Vanderbijlpark, 1911, South Africa
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0816
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Halt Elder Abuse Line
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0800 003 081
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Helpline for elderly people
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0813
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
National Shelter Movement Of South Africa:
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0800 001 005
Or send an SMS, WhatsApp or Please Call Me to 082 057 8600 / 082 058 2215 / 072 230 7147
The National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA) is an NPO, with Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Shelters across South Africa. NSMSA strives to be the united voice for the sheltering of abused women & their children. Victims of domestic violence in South Africa needing help from abuse are able to contact NSM's 24-hour toll-free Shelter Helpline. This is the first national helpline exclusively dedicated to helping victims of domestic abuse access shelter services in each of the nine provinces, while also assisting with a variety of other issues that impact survivors.
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0810
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Rata Social Services NPC (Heidelberg Branch)
Collette (Branch Manager/Social Worker)
(016) 341 4333
082 637 3456
RATA Heidelberg is a registered Non-Profit Organization (NPO) providing professional social work, trauma counseling, child protection, and family support services. Operating out of their Mare Street office, they offer critical outreach, adoption services, and assistance to vulnerable individuals and families in the community.
40 Mare St, Heidelberg, Heidelberg - GP, 1441, South Africa
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect, #social, #services, #worker
A0807
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Tears Foundation
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010 590 5920
Free SMS helpline: *134*7355#
Assists survivors of:
Domestic violence
Sexual assault
Child sexual abuse
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0804
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Women’s Legal Centre
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021 424 5660
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The Women’s Legal Centre is an African feminist legal centre that advances womxn’s rights and equality using tools such as litigation, advocacy, education, advice, research and training.
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0801
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Child Welfare South Africa
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087 822 1516
074 080 8315
Focuses on child protection, family development, and child abuse reporting.
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0818
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Human Trafficking Hotline
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0800 222 777
082 455 3664
Provides victims of trafficking and sexual assault with immediate assistance. Cases are treated with anonmity and confidentiality. Services:
Counselling in all official languages; Safety planning;
Access to legal and emergency services.
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#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0812
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Organisation Name
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062 166 2166
Business WhatsApp: 062 166 2166
Contact us to list any other abuse and support organisations in Heidelberg Gauteng for free.
Heidelberg, Gauteng, South Africa
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0809
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
SAPS
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10111
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When a sexual offence is committed, the victim suffers severe trauma. It is difficult to conceive of any other offence of which the bodily and psychological integrity, privacy and dignity of a victim is simultaneously violated more severely than when a sexual offence is committed. Furthermore, a sexual offence not only affects the victim alone, but also his or her family and personal life. Therefore, police members will assist victims in any way possible to lessen the trauma. The South African Police Service renders a professional service to victims in the investigation of offences of this nature, and will assist victims in this regard.
4 Voortrekker St, Heidelberg, Heidelberg - GP, 1441, South Africa
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#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0806
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
The Teddy Bear Foundation
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011 484 4554
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The Teddy Bear Foundation offers holistic, integrated services to children that have been abused.
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0803
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Childline South Africa
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116
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This toll-free telephonic counselling line deals with crisis faced by both children and adults. These include sexual assault, child pornography, abuse, harrasment and various other matters. Services:
Telephonic counselling; Online counselling; Online Counselling for the hearing impaired. Support for children and families dealing with abuse, trafficking, and behavioural issues.
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0817
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Gender-Based Violence Command Centre
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0800 428 428 | *120*7867#
SMS “help” to 31531
The Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) operates under The Department of Social Development. The Centre operates a National, 24hr/7days-a-week Call Centre facility. The facility employs social workers who are responsible for call-taking and call referrals. Domestic Violence, Rape, Physical Abuse, Indecent Assault, Verbal Abuse/ Intimidation and Abandoned Children, Stalking, Economic Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Forced Marriages, Forced Prostitution, Forced Abortion, Human Trafficking, Exploitation of Domestic Workers, Abuse of Elderly, Incest and violence against foreign nationals.
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#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0814
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Lesedi Community Centre
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010 007 0881
072 575 0081
The Lesedi Community Centre is a non-profit organisation based in Heidelberg Gauteng that mainly focus on the upliftment of the community in and around Heidelberg. We are also involved with feeding programmes, various community projects and spiritual upliftment.
Loveday St, Rensburg, Heidelberg - GP, 1441, South Africa
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0811
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
People Opposed to Woman Abuse (Powa)
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011 642 4345
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Support for women affected by violence, including:
Counselling (telephonic and in-person)
Legal support
Temporary shelter
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#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0808
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Stop Gender-Based Violence
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0800 150 150 | *120*7867#
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Stop Gender Violence
The Line provides anonymous, confidential and telephonic counselling and referrals in all 11 official languages.
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#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0805
9 June 2026
#GB Violence, Child & Welfare Support
Women For Change
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WhatsApp: 069 360 8296
Women for Change (WFC) is one of South Africa’s leading voices in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Founded in 2016, we use the power of social media to raise awareness, support survivors, and drive real change.
#community, #society, #help, #assitance, #Heidelberg, #abuse, #women, #children, #sexual, #shelter, #violence, #rape, #neglect
A0802
9 June 2026
GOOD TO KNOW: Help and Advice
Education about sexual abuse and rape saves lives by giving people the power to speak up and stay safe.
📢 WHY THIS EDUCATION MATTERS
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Breaks the silence: It helps women, girls and children talk about abuse without fear.
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Gives clear advice: It teaches people how to help others who are hurting.
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Guides right actions: It shows exactly how to handle dangerous situations correctly.
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Builds safe spaces: It creates a community where victims feel believed and supported.
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Stops the blame: It teaches that the abuser is always the one at fault.
BELOW, YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:
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Sexual violence and abuse trauma
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About fear responses and reactions to sexual violence
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Rape
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Consent
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Myths about sexual violence
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Sexual assault
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Child sexual abuse
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Sexual harrasment
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Indecent exposure or flashing
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Stealthing
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Female genital mutilation
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Spiking with sexual violence intend
ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND ABUSE TRAUMA:
Sexual violence and abuse can change a person's entire life. Every person reacts in their own unique way. There is no right or wrong way to feel.
Important Truths:
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It is never the victim's fault.
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The person who caused the harm is 100% to blame.
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No one should ever feel like they are making a "big deal" out of it.
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There is no timeline for healing.
Physical Health and Body Changes
Abuse can hurt the body in many ways.
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Injuries: Contact can cause cuts, bruises, tears or pain.
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No marks: Many victims have no visible injuries at all. This is normal.
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STIs: Victims can catch infections from the attacker. Getting tested quickly is important.
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Pregnancy: A victim can become pregnant from rape. Emergency medicine can prevent pregnancy if taken early. Doctors and clinics can help check options.
Feelings and Emotions
People feel many different things after abuse. These feelings can change over time. A person might feel:
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Angry or short-tempered
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Ashamed, guilty or embarrassed
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Scared and unable to trust anyone
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Sad, lonely or empty
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Tired, stressed or worried
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Uninterested in or scared of sex
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Completely normal or unaffected, which is also okay
Understanding Trauma
Trauma happens when an event is very scary or upsetting. It can harm a person's mind and body for a long time.
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Timing: Trauma responses can start right away or they can show up years later.
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Ups and downs: A survivor might feel fine for a while, and then feel worse during stressful times.
Common Trauma Responses
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Bad thoughts: Unwanted memories that will not go away.
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Body issues: Shaking, sweating, feeling sick or body aches.
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Unsafe habits: Hurting oneself or using drugs and alcohol to cope.
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Hiding away: Staying away from friends or things they used to enjoy.
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Flashbacks: Memories that feel like the bad event is happening right now.
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Sleep trouble: Having a hard time sleeping or having bad nightmares.
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Panic attacks: Sudden moments of extreme fear where it is hard to breathe.
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Dissociation: Feeling spaced out, like you are disconnected from your body.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Some survivors get diagnosed with PTSD. This is a severe type of anxiety. People with PTSD often feel like they are in danger all the time. They may have constant nightmares and try hard to avoid anything related to the abuse.
What Are Triggers?
Triggers are everyday things that remind a person of the trauma.
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Examples: A certain smell, a song, a place or a special date on the calendar.
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Effects: Triggers can cause sudden flashbacks or panic attacks.
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Control: Triggers are involuntary. The survivor cannot control when they happen.
The Knock-On Effects
The pain from abuse does not stay in one place. It spills into every part of life. It can make it hard to work, go to school or look after children. It can also make it difficult to make new friends, keep a job or even handle simple, everyday tasks.
ABOUT FEAR RESPONSES:
The "fight or flight" response is how our bodies react to fear automatically. There are actually five common responses. They are fight, flight, freeze, flop, and friend. These reactions are immediate, automatic, and instinctive.
How the Body Responds to Danger
When your brain senses danger, it sends signals to your body. Your body reacts automatically to protect you. To prepare for danger, your body often:
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Speeds up your heart rate and breathing. This sends more oxygen and blood to your muscles.
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Tightens your muscles so they are ready to move.
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Shuts down things that are not needed right away, like digestion.
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Sweats so you do not get too hot.
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Releases adrenaline to give you a burst of energy.
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Releases cortisol to stop pain. This can also make your thinking feel cloudy or foggy
The Five Fear Responses
Many people only know about "fight or flight." Because of this, survivors often feel guilty or angry with themselves if they did not fight back or run away.
However, you cannot choose how your body reacts in a scary moment. All five responses are automatic ways your body tries to keep you alive.
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Fight: This means physically struggling, pushing back or verbally saying "no."
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Flight: This means running away, hiding or backing away to get away from danger.
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Freeze: This means going stiff, still and silent. This is a very common reaction to sexual violence. Freezing is not consent. It is an instinct to survive.
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Flop: This is like freezing, but your muscles go completely loose and soft. This automatic reaction helps reduce physical pain. Your mind might also shut down to protect itself.
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Friend: This means shouting for help from others. It can also mean trying to please, negotiate or plead with the attacker to stop them from hurting you. This is a survival trick, not consent.
Memory and Triggers
During extreme fear, the brain does not save memories the normal way. Instead, it stores the memory based on what you saw, smelled, heard or felt at that exact moment.
Later on, if your brain notices something similar to that past trauma, it might think you are in danger again. This is called being triggered. It can happen even if you are totally safe.
Triggers can cause:
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High anxiety
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Panic attacks
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Nightmares
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Flashbacks
When this happens, it helps to remind yourself that you are safe right now. Your body is just reacting to a memory from the past.
ABOUT RAPE:
What is the legal definition of rape?
The legal definition of rape is when someone intentionally penetrates another person's vagina, anus or mouth with their penis, without that person's consent.
Someone commits rape if all of the following happens:
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They intentionally penetrate the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with their penis.
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The other person does not consent to the penetration.
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They do not reasonably believe that the other person consents.
This includes if:
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The two people are married or in a relationship.
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The other person consented to one type of penetration (e.g. vaginal or oral sex), but not another (e.g. anal sex).
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Someone removes a condom without the other person’s permission – or lies about putting one on. This is commonly known as ‘stealthing’.
Other definitions of rape
The legal definition of rape is very limited and doesn't match with the experiences of lots of victims and survivors who would describe what happened to them as rape.
Victims and survivors should use the words that are most meaningful to them to describe their experiences. However, if a victim or survivor wants to report what happened to them to the police, it's important for them to know that someone can only be charged with rape if it fits the legal definition.
❗ If someone's experience doesn't fit with the legal definition of rape then that doesn't mean it wasn't as bad. All forms of sexual violence or abuse can have a serious and long-lasting impact on the people they happen to – and many forms carry long-term maximum prison sentences.
ABOUT CONSENT:
Consent happens when all people involved in any kind of sexual activity agree to take part by choice. They also need to have the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Without consent, any kind of sexual activity is sexual violence.
What is Consent?
We all have the right to not want sex or any other kind of sexual activity. This includes kissing, sexual touching or performing a sexual act. We also all have the right to change our minds at any time. A person can consent to doing one sexual thing with someone but not another.
Many of the myths surrounding consent and sexual violence can make victims and survivors feel as though they are somehow to blame. It can also make them feel that what happened to them wasn’t "real" sexual violence.
However, it does not matter if someone does not have visible injuries or if they did not scream, try to run away or fight. It also does not matter what they were wearing or what interaction happened beforehand. It does not matter if they experienced feelings of arousal or if they knew the perpetrator.
If a person does not consent to sexual activity of any kind, then it is always sexual violence. 100% of the blame lies with the perpetrator or perpetrators. With all the myths surrounding sexual violence, however, working out what consent looks like in real life can sometimes feel confusing.
What Does Consent Mean?
The Sexual Offences Act says that someone consents to sexual activity if they agree by choice and have both the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
If someone says "no" to any kind of sexual activity, they are not agreeing to it. But if someone doesn't say "no" out loud, that doesn't automatically mean that they have agreed to it either. If someone seems unsure, stays quiet, moves away or does not respond, they are not agreeing to sexual activity. In fact, it is really common for people who have experienced sexual violence to find they are unable to move or speak.
Someone does not have the freedom and capacity to agree to sexual activity by choice if:
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They are asleep or unconscious.
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They are drunk or on drugs.
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They have been spiked.
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They are too young.
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They have a mental health disorder or illness that means they are unable to make a choice.
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They are being pressured, bullied, manipulated, tricked or scared into saying "yes".
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The other person is using physical force against them.
If someone is not sure whether you are giving your consent for something sexual, they should check with you. If they can see or suspect you are not 100% comfortable or happy with what is happening between you, they should stop.
Why "Yes" Does Not Always Mean Consent
Because consent has to involve freedom and capacity to be valid, saying "yes" is not enough. Being forced, pressured, bullied, manipulated, tricked or scared takes away our freedom and capacity to make choices in lots of different situations.
For example, if someone is in an abusive relationship, they might say "yes" to something out of fear for their own well-being or the well-being of other people. This is a long way away from saying "yes" because they really wanted to. The fear took away their freedom and capacity to make a real choice.
Most of us would recognise that if someone stands behind you at a cash machine, holds a knife to your back and asks for your PIN, you are not consenting to being robbed when you give it to them. It is similar with sex. Although, in this case, the "knife" could be something entirely different, such as the threat of someone sharing a sexually explicit photo of another person, spreading lies about them or making them feel worthless.
What Consent Looks Like
Here are some examples of what consent does and does not look like in practice.
Consent looks like:
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Enthusiastically saying "yes!".
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Talking to the other person about what you do and don't want and listening to them in return.
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Checking in with the other person by asking questions like, "Is this okay?", "Do you want to slow down?" or "Do you want to stop?".
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Respecting someone’s choice if they say "no" and never trying to change their mind or put pressure on them.
Consent is not like a permit or voucher that we can use up until its expiry date or at any point in the future. A person who really wanted to have sex with us last night might not want to have sex with us this morning, and that is 100% their right. It also makes no difference if you are married to someone or in a relationship with them. You still need to get their consent every single time.
Consent does not look like:
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Feeling like you have to agree to sex or other sexual activity because you are worried about the other person’s reaction if you say "no".
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Someone having sex with you or touching you in a sexual manner when you are asleep or unconscious.
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Someone continuing with sexual activity despite your non-verbal cues that you do not want it to continue or that you are not sure, such as if you pull away, freeze or seem uncomfortable.
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Someone assuming that you want to have sex or take part in other sexual activity because of your actions or what you are wearing, such as flirting, accepting a drink or wearing a short skirt.
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Someone assuming that you want to have sex or take part in other sexual activity with them because you have had sex or taken part in other sexual activity with them before.
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Someone assuming that you want to take part in one type of sexual activity because you wanted to take part in another.
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Someone removing a condom during sex after you only agreed to have sex with one, which is known as stealthing.
Please know, however, that these are just a few examples of what consent does not look like. If you did not want something to happen, then you did not give your consent. You also did not give your consent if you were not capable of deciding whether or not you wanted it, such as if you were a child or if you were drunk. And if there was no consent, then it was sexual violence. If you are in a sexual encounter with someone and they ask you to stop and you do not stop, you are committing a sexual offence. It is as simple as that.
Age of Consent
The age of consent in South Africa is 16.
This is the age when young people of any sex, gender or sexual orientation can legally consent to taking part in sexual activity.
Under South African law, any person under the age of 16 may not consent to any sexual activity because they are legally minors. Even if the minor has voluntarily agreed to take part in a sexual activity, it is still unlawful and the adult will face statutory rape charges. This means that sexual activity between two or more people is always unlawful if at least one of the people is under the age of 16.
It does not matter if:
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All those involved are the same age or very close in age.
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Those under the age of 16 have given their consent in line with the definition above.
However, not everyone who does something unlawful is charged with a crime and taken to court. It is up to prosecutors to decide whether it is in the public interest for this to happen. When making this decision, they have to take certain factors into account. The age of consent exists to protect children and young people, not to turn them into criminals for no good reason or to cause them unnecessary harm.
That is why, when deciding whether or not to prosecute someone who takes part in sexual activity with a person under the age of 16, prosecutors are supposed to consider lots of different factors.
These include:
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How close in age and maturity levels those involved are.
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The relationship of those involved.
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Whether the person under 16 consented.
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Whether the sexual activity was a normal part of the process of becoming an adult.
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Whether the person under 16 was aged 12 or under.
16 and 17-Year-Olds
Although the age of consent is 16, the law has some extra protections in place for young people aged 16 and 17.
For example, it is illegal to:
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Take a photo or video of someone aged 18 or under engaging in sexual activity.
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Pay for sexual services from someone under the age of 18.
Raping or sexually assaulting someone is always a crime. 100% of the blame, shame and responsibility always lies with the perpetrator, no matter who they are.
MYTHS ABOUT VICTIMS AND CONSENT
Myth #1: Women who drink or take drugs deserve it if they get raped.
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The facts: No one is ever to blame for being raped or sexually assaulted. It does not matter what the circumstances were.
Myth #2: Women lie about being raped because they want attention or revenge or because they regret having sex with someone.
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The facts: False allegations of rape are extremely rare. In fact, most people who experience rape or sexual violence never tell the police.
Myth #3: If she didn’t scream, try to run away or fight back, then it wasn't rape.
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The facts: It is very common for people to find they cannot move or speak during an assault. This is an automatic body response to fear designed to keep us safe. This is also why many victims do not have visible injuries.
Myth #4: If she didn’t say "no", then it wasn't rape.
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The facts: Not saying "no" is not the same as giving consent. If someone seems unsure, stays quiet, moves away or does not respond, they are not agreeing to sexual activity.
Myth #5: It’s not rape if it's your wife or girlfriend.
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The facts: Rape is always rape. If someone wants to take part in sexual activity with another person, they must get consent every single time. It does not matter if they have been married for 50 years. If the partner does not consent, it is rape and it is illegal.
Myth #6: Women are "asking for it" if they wear revealing clothes or flirt.
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The facts: Everyone has the right to wear whatever they want and behave how they want without being raped or sexually assaulted. There is never any excuse for sexual violence.
Myth #7: Women often play "hard to get" and say "no" when they really mean "yes".
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The facts: Women and girls, just like men and boys, should always be listened to and believed. Everyone has the right to change their mind at any point and only they can decide what they want. If someone says "no", you must respect their wishes
Myth #8: Victims and survivors should act a certain way after being raped.
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The facts: Everyone responds differently to rape and sexual violence. There is no right or wrong way to feel. It is common to feel completely numb after a traumatic event, and some people do not feel the effects of trauma until a long time later.
Myth #9: If she had really been raped, then it wouldn't have taken her so long to say something.
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The facts: Talking about sexual violence can be very difficult and it might take a long time before someone feels able to speak out. They may fear being judged, blamed or not believed. They might also be scared of their perpetrator
Myth #10: Once a man gets turned on, he can't help himself and has to have sex.
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The facts: There is absolutely no scientific basis for this myth. Men can control themselves, just like women.
Myth #11: People who were sexually abused as children are likely to become abusers themselves.
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The facts: Most victims and survivors of child sexual abuse never rape or sexually abuse other people.
Myth #12: Women shouldn’t go out alone at night if they don’t want to be raped.
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The facts: In 86% of rape cases against women, the survivor is raped by someone she knows. In 45% of cases, she is raped by a partner or ex-partner. It is rapists who need to change their behaviour, not women.
Myth #13: Men of certain backgrounds are more likely to commit sexual violence or abuse than others.
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The facts: There is no typical rapist. People who commit sexual violence and abuse come from every economic, ethnic, racial, age and social group.
Myth #14: Sex workers can't be raped.
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The facts: Rape is defined by whether or not someone gave consent, not what they do for a living. If a sex worker did not give their consent, it was rape.
Myth #15: Men don't get raped.
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The facts: Men and boys are raped and sexually assaulted every day. In fact, one in 20 men have experienced rape or sexual assault as an adult. It has a lasting, serious impact on their lives and well-being, just as it does for women and girls.
Myth #16: Only gay men get raped and only gay men rape men.
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The facts: Absolutely anyone can be a survivor of sexual violence, including men and boys of all sexual orientations. Rape is about power and control, so for some perpetrators, the victim's gender or sexual orientation does not matter. All victims deserve to be heard and supported.
Myth #17: Women don’t commit sexual offences.
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The facts: While the majority of rapes and sexual assaults are committed by men against women and children, women do carry out sexual violence against other women, men and children. All survivors must be listened to and believed.
ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT:
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault happens when someone either touches another person in a sexual manner without consent or makes another person touch them in a sexual manner without consent. It includes unwanted kissing and the touching of someone's genitals, breasts or bottom.
The key points:
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The term 'sexual assault' is commonly used to refer to any form of sexual violence or abuse that involves physical contact between the perpetrator (person responsible) and the victim or survivor.
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Sexual assault that involves penetration of someone's mouth, vagina or anus with a penis is a different crime - it is 'Rape'.
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Sexual assault that involves penetration of someone's vagina or anus with something other than a penis is also a different crime it is 'Assault by penetration'.
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Sexual assault can involve the touching of skin, clothing or the use of something else to touch skin or clothing.
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It is a serious crime that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. And any form of sexual assault can have a serious and lasting impact on the victim or survivor.
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No one ever deserves or asks for sexual assault to happen.
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100% of the blame, shame and responsibility lies with the perpetrator.
What is the legal definition of sexual assault?
The legal definition of sexual assault is when someone intentionally touches another person in a sexual manner, without that person’s consent.
The Sexual Offences Act says that someone commits sexual assault if all of the following happens:
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They intentionally touch another person.
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The touching is sexual.
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The other person does not consent to the touching.
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They do not reasonably believe that the other person consents.
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The touching can be with any part of the body or with anything else.
It could include:
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Kissing.
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Touching someone’s genitals, breasts or bottom – including through clothing.
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Touching any other part of the body for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner – for example, stroking someone’s thigh or rubbing their back.
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Pressing up against another person for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner.
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The perpetrator making someone else touch them in a sexual manner.
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Touching someone’s clothing if done for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner – for example, lifting up someone’s skirt.
❗ However, please know that this is not a full list. Just because something isn’t included here doesn’t mean it isn’t sexual assault.
How the law defines 'consent'
Under, someone consents to sex or other sexual activity when they agree to it by choice and have both the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
This means that someone doesn't consent to sex or other sexual activity if they:
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Say 'no'.
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Seem unsure or upset, stay quiet, move away or don't respond.
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Are asleep, unconscious, drunk, drugged or on drugs.
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Are pressured, manipulated, tricked or scared into saying 'yes'.
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Are too young or vulnerable to have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
What is indecent assault?
Indecent assault was the legal term used for what is now sexual assault. You might still hear people using the term ‘indecent assault’ to refer to sexual assault.
Common questions:
What is the difference between sexual assault and rape?
'Sexual assault' and 'rape' are different crimes which carry different maximum sentences.
There's also a separate but related crime called 'assault by penetration'.
Below, we take a look at how each of these offences is defined in law.
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Sexual assault: Sexual touching without consent.
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Rape: Someone with a penis penetrating another person's vagina, anus or mouth without consent.
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Assault by penetration: Someone penetrating another person's vagina or anus with something other than a penis, without their consent.
Why you might hear someone using the term 'sexual assault' to describe rape
It's really common to hear people using the terms 'sexual assault' or just 'assault' to describe any of the offences above.
This might be because someone feels more comfortable saying 'sexual assault' or 'assault' rather than 'rape' or 'assault by penetration'. Or it might be because they're not familiar with the legal definitions of these terms.
Of course, rape and assault by penetration both involve sexual touching without consent and so could be considered forms of sexual assault. However, if someone has committed rape or assault by penetration then they should be charged with those offences, not with sexual assault.
ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE:
What is child sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse is sexual activity that happens to a person under the age of 18 and is unwanted or involves pressure, manipulation, bullying, intimidation, threats, deception or force.
Child sexual abuse can:
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Include sexual activity where there is physical contact. For example, rape, masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching on top of clothes.
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Include sexual activity where there is no physical contact. For example, taking sexual photos or videos of children or young people or involving them in looking at sexual images or watching sexual activity.
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Happen in person, online or over the phone.
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Be carried out by an adult or by another child or young person.
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Include sexual activity where the child or young person is given money or something that they want or need 'in return' – what is often called 'child sexual exploitation'.
Key facts:
Child sexual abuse includes rape and all of the other types of sexual violence* that also happen to adults.
*Sexual violence is any kind of sexual activity that happens to someone without their consent.
It's still child sexual abuse if:
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It doesn't involve any other kind of physical violence, such as punching, kicking, hitting, beating, stabbing or shooting.
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The child or young person doesn't understand what's happening – or if they do.
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The child or young person enjoys it or feels like they want it to happen.
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The child or young person loves or cares about the abuser.
What does 'without consent' mean?
Something happening 'without consent' is not the same thing as something being 'unwanted'.
Some children and young people who are sexually abused know at the time that they don't want what's happening to them. But, for lots of children and young people, it's more complicated.
They might think or feel like they want it. Or feel very confused. They also might not really understand what's happening to them. Or even be aware of it.
When this happens it's because the person or people carrying out the abuse have manipulated or tricked the victim in some way. Or taken advantage of the fact that they are too young to know or fully understand what's happening to them.
It doesn't mean that the child or young person has done anything wrong. Or that they are to blame in any way for what happened to them.
Child sexual abuse is always 100% the fault of the perpetrator (the person who carried out the abuse). No matter how the child or young person feels or felt about the abuse.
Consent = choice + freedom and capacity
Under law, consent is defined as agreeing to sexual activity by choice and having the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
Some victims and survivors of child sexual abuse might think or feel like they did choose what happened to them. Maybe because they said they wanted it or they felt like they wanted it or they enjoyed it.
But, this doesn't mean that they gave their consent. Children and young people don't have the same freedom and capacity that lots of adults have when it comes to making choices about taking part in sexual activity.
This is for lots of different reasons, including:
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The fact that they depend on adults for things like money, food, a place to live, transport and academic qualifications.
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Their lack of knowledge and life experience.
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Their emotional immaturity.
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Depending on their age, their lack of physical strength.
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The fact that they've been told to listen to adults or other authority figures (for example, teachers) and do what they say.
Key facts:
Survivors can have complicated feelings about the person who abused them
For example, they might realise that they've been sexually abused but still love or care about the abuser in some way.
This can be very hard for other people to understand. However, it doesn't mean that the victim or survivor consented to the sexual abuse in any way – or make what happened any less serious.
What does the law say about child sexual abuse?
The law makes it very clear that children and young people don't have the same freedom and capacity that most adults have when it comes to sexual consent.
Under law:
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The ‘age of consent’ is 16. This is the age at which young people can legally take part in sexual activity.
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A child aged 12 or under can never consent to any form of sexual activity.
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It’s a crime for someone to take part in any kind of sexual activity with someone aged 16 or under.
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It’s also a crime for someone to take part in any kind of sexual activity with someone aged 13 to 15 – unless they ‘reasonably believe’ at the time that they are aged 16 or over.
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There are extra protections for young people aged 16 and 17. For example, it’s illegal for someone to take part in sexual activity with someone under 18 if they are in a ‘position of trust’ – such as a teacher, social worker, doctor or care worker.
These laws are in place to protect children and young people. They are not there to prosecute young people of the same age who take part in consensual sexual activity.
Is there a legal definition of child sexual abuse?
There are legal definitions for many forms of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault and indecent exposure. But, there isn’t one for ‘child sexual abuse’ as a whole. Instead, the Act gives legal definitions for a number of different offences involving children and young people.
These include:
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‘Rape and other offences against children under 13’.
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So-called ‘Child sex offences’.
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Offences involving an ‘Abuse of position of trust’.
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So-called ‘Familial child sex offences’.
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Offences involving ‘Indecent photographs of children’.
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Offences involving the ‘Sexual exploitation of children’.
All of these offences are very serious crimes. And they are all child sexual abuse.
Never use the word ‘sex’ to describe forms of sexual violence or abuse. That’s because sexual violence is as different from sex as drowning is from swimming.
Why the word 'abuse'?
When people talk about sexual violence happening to children and young people, it’s really common for them to use the word ‘abuse’ instead of ‘violence’.
That’s partly because child sexual abuse often doesn’t involve other kinds of physical violence.
Instead, lots of perpetrators use manipulation, lies and tricks to carry out the abuse. These tactics are often easier to use on children and young people than on adults.
What are the different types of child sexual abuse?
There are lots of different terms (words) that people use when talking about child sexual abuse.
Some describe the relationship between the abuser and the victim or survivor – or the place or setting in which the abuse took place. Others describe how the abuse was carried out.
Let's take a look at a few of them.
All forms of child sexual abuse can have a long-lasting impact on the lives and wellbeing of victims and survivors. And all victims and survivors deserve help and support.
Familial (also known as 'intra-familial'):
This is child sexual abuse that happens within a family home or family setting. The person carrying out the abuse could be:
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An actual family member of the child – for example, a parent, brother, sister, grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, great-uncle, great-aunt, second cousin etc.
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Someone else who the child sees as their family or who is close to the child – for example, a step-parent, step-brother, step-sister, step-grandparent, step-uncle, step-aunt, step-cousin, a close family friend, a babysitter, a nanny, a child-minder etc.
When people think about child sexual abuse happening in families, they often think about it being carried out by adults. But, it's also very common for familial child sexual abuse to be carried out by children or young people under the age of 18.
Child sexual abuse happens in all kinds of families. It can happen in rich families, poor families and middle-class families, as well as families of all ethnicities, religions and backgrounds.
Institutional:
This term is used to describe child sexual abuse that takes place in any non-family setting where people are in positions of trust and power over children – for example:
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Place of education or childcare, such as nurseries, playgroups, schools and colleges.
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Places of worship and other kinds of religious settings, such as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and places where religious texts are studied or taught.
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Sports clubs and training programmes.
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Other activity/social clubs, groups and organisations, such as music groups and youth clubs.
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Youth justice centres, including young offender institutions, secure training centres and secure children's homes. These are places where people under the age of 18 are sent if they've committed a crime and are sentenced to custody.
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Residential care, such as children's homes, residential schools and hostels. These are places where children or young people can be sent after being removed from their own homes.
The person carrying out child sexual abuse in these places could be someone who works or volunteers there, or another child or young person.
Key statistics
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1 in 3 survivors of child sexual abuse only tell someone what happened to them later in life
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1 in 6 children have been sexually abused
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9 in 10 survivors of child sexual abuse say it was committed by men and boys only
So-called 'peer-on-peer':
The word 'peer' means someone who is the same age or has the same abilities as another person.
Lots of people use the term 'peer-on-peer' to describe child sexual abuse that is carried out by someone who is close in age to the victim or survivor.
However, the term often gets used when the abuser is actually older than the victim or survivor. For example, they might be two or three school years' above.
When a child or young person is older than another child or young person they are not their peer.
Age gaps can create unhealthy power balances where the older person is more easily able to abuse the younger person than if they were the same age.
An age gap of a few years is unlikely to create unhealthy power balances between older adults. But it's much more likely between children and young people.
Image-based:
This term is used to describe any kind of child sexual abuse that involves the abuser doing at least one of the following:
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Taking nude or sexual photos or videos of the victim or survivor without their consent.
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Sharing nude or sexual photos or videos of the victim or survivor without their consent.
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Threatening to do either of the above.
This includes:
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Photos or videos that show other forms of child sexual abuse – for example, a child or young person being sexually assaulted or raped.
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So-called 'revenge porn': when an abuser shares nude or sexual images of a victim or survivor in public places, such as on social media or on porn websites. Although this type of abuse often gets described as 'revenge porn', it can be committed by anyone, for any purpose – not just by former partners for revenge.
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So-called 'upskirting': when an abuser takes a photo or video under a victim or survivor's clothing in order to see their genitals or bottom.
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So-called 'fakeporn': when an abuser uses technology, such as Photoshop or artificial intelligence, to change real videos and images of victims and survivors so that they look sexual.
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So-called 'sextortion': a form of blackmail where an abuser threatens to share nude or sexual images of a victim or survivor unless they do what the abuser wants them to do.
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Voyeurism: when an abuser watches or films/photographs/records the victim or survivor taking part in a sexual act (either alone or with someone else), or while they are naked. It can also be when an abuser installs cameras or other recording devices in order to do this.
Online:
This term is used to describe any child sexual abuse that happens online, including on:
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Websites
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Online forums.
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Social media.
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Messaging apps.
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Online games and apps.
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AirDrop, Nearby Share and other apps that allow someone to send files to people close by, including strangers.
Examples of online child sexual abuse include:
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Online grooming.
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Online stalking.
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Online sexual harassment.
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Online sexual exploitation.
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Lots of types of image-based child sexual abuse.
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So-called 'dick pics' and other types of 'cyber flashing'.
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Threats of rape, sexual assault and any other form of sexual abuse.
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Abusers using dating apps, social media and other websites/apps in order to carry out another form of sexual abuse offline, such as rape or sexual assault.
Some people think that sexual abuse that happens online is less serious than other types of sexual abuse. But online sexual abuse can have just as much impact as any other form of sexual abuse.
Sexual exploitation:
This term is used to describe any child sexual abuse where the abuser forces, threatens, pressures, manipulates or tricks the victim or survivor into taking part in sexual activity 'in exchange' for something the victim or survivors needs or wants.
It can also be where the abuser forces, threatens, pressures, manipulates or tricks the victim or survivor into taking part in sexual activity so that the abuser either:
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Makes money, or
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Becomes more powerful within a certain group.
Some people think that child sexual exploitation is consensual because the victim or survivor gets something they need or want as a result.
BUT, it's really important to remember that there can never be consent when someone is forced, threatened, pressured, manipulated or tricked into taking part in sexual activity.
And that means it is always sexual violence or abuse.
Please remember: children and young people are never to blame for the sexual exploitation that happened to them.
Grooming:
This is when an abuser builds a false relationship or connection with a child or young person in order to gain power or control over them. They do this so that they can carry out another form of sexual abuse – for example, sexual assault or rape.
This false relationship or connection might look like the abuser:
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Pretending to be in a romantic or loving relationship with the victim or survivor.
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Acting like an authority figure – someone who the victim or survivor should respect, listen to and do as they say.
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Pretending to be a mentor – someone who is looking out for them, advising them or giving them help.
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Being controlling, demanding and/or constantly in contact with the victim or survivor or not leaving them alone.
Grooming can take place in person or online and be carried out by a stranger or someone that the victim or survivor knows.
Abusers sometimes build false relationships or connections with a child or young person's family or friends in order to also gain their trust.
Although grooming can happen to adults too, it's used by perpetrators in lots of child sexual abuse cases.
Grooming happens in stages, with abusers often using new tactics bit by bit. This means it's not always easy to spot.
Examples of grooming tactics include an abuser:
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Asking the victim or survivor to keep secrets from other people.
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Buying the victim or survivor gifts or taking them on trips or days out.
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Giving the victim or survivor lots of attention or being really 'nice' to them.
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Cutting the victim or survivor off from their family or friends.
Once an abuser has sexually abused a child or young person once, they might use this fact in order to threaten the child or young person and make it easier for them to carry out more abuse.
For example, an abuser might say that if a victim or survivor doesn't do what the abuser wants them to do, they'll tell someone 'what we did'.
It's common for abusers to make victims or survivors feel like they are either fully or partly responsible for what's happened to them. For example, an abuser might describe sexual abuse as something that 'we did' or that the victim or survivor 'made me do'.
However, it's important to remember that children and young people are never responsible for sexual abuse. 100% of the blame, shame and responsibility lies with the abuser.
HAS A CHILD TOLD YOU THAT THEY'VE BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED?
We know that this can be a really upsetting and difficult thing to hear. But how you respond could make a huge difference to this child's life.
The most important thing you can do is to listen to them and believe them. Children do sometimes repeat things they've heard elsewhere. But, it's far more likely that what they are telling you is something that's actually happened.
And, even if they are repeating something they've heard elsewhere, this might be a sign that they or another child have been harmed in some other way – or at least put in a potentially harmful situation.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual behaviour that makes someone feel upset, scared, offended or humiliated, or is meant to make them feel that way.
Sexual harassment is a type of of sexual violence – the phrase we use to describe any sexual activity or act that happened without consent. Other types of sexual violence include rape and sexual assault.
Victims and survivors of sexual harassment are often told that they are being 'unreasonable’ or 'too sensitive', or that they ‘can’t take a joke’.
But, sexual harassment is never funny and should not be happening.
It can often often make victims and survivors feel upset, scared, humiliated or unsafe. For some, it can have a serious impact on their physical and mental health, and affect their quality of life.
You might have heard people talking about sexual harassment happening at work. But it can happen anywhere and takes many forms.
So, what does the term actually mean? And how do you know if something is sexual harassment?
No-one ever deserves or asks for sexual harassment to happen.
100% of the blame lies with the perpetrator or perpetrators.
How sexual harassment is defined in law:
The legal definition of sexual harassment is when someone carries out unwanted sexual behaviour towards another person that makes them feel upset, scared, offended or humiliated.
It is also when someone carries out this behaviour with the intention of making someone else feel that way. This means that it can still be sexual harassment even if the other person didn’t feel upset, scared, offended or humiliated.
Someone sexually harasses another person if they:
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Engage in unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and
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The conduct has the purpose or effect of either violating the other person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them.
This unwanted sexual conduct can happen in person, on the phone, by text or email, or online. Both the harasser and the victim or survivor can be of any gender.
Sexual harassment includes a really wide range of behaviours, such as:
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Sexual comments or noises – for example, catcalling or wolf-whistling.
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Sexual gestures.
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Leering, staring or suggestive looks. This can include looking someone up and down.
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Sexual ‘jokes’.
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Sexual innuendos or suggestive comments.
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Unwanted sexual advances or flirting.
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Sexual requests or asking for sexual favours.
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Sending emails or texts with sexual content – for example, unwanted ‘sexts’ or ‘dick pics’.
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Sexual posts or contact on social media.
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Intrusive questions about a person’s private or sex life.
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Someone discussing their own sex life.
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Commenting on someone's body, appearance or what they’re wearing.
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Spreading sexual rumours.
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Standing close to someone.
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Displaying images of a sexual nature.
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Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature – for example, brushing up against someone or hugging, kissing or massaging them.
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Stalking.
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Indecent exposure.
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Taking a photo or video under another person's clothing – what is known as 'upskirting'.
Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination:
This means that people are legally protected from sexual harassment in certain places – for example, at work, on transport and at schools, colleges and universities.
So, if sexual harassment does happen in these places, victims and survivors have the right to take action to find a solution. This could include making a complaint or making a claim in the civil courts.
If you're experiencing sexual harassment at work, you can access free employment legal advice by phoning the Rights of Women helpline.
Some important things to know about sexual harassment and the law:
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It is the person receiving the sexual behaviour who decides if it’s unwanted – NOT the person doing the behaviour.
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It doesn’t matter if other people think the unwanted sexual behaviour is okay. Or if it’s common in the place it’s happened in.
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It can be a once-off incident or repeated.
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Just because certain sexual behaviour was welcomed or not objected to in the past doesn’t mean that it can’t become unwanted. Or that other sexual behaviour is wanted.
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Unwanted sexual behaviour doesn’t need to be intentionally directed at the victim or survivor – it can be something they witness or overhear.
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If a victim or survivor of sexual harassment is treated badly or less favourably because of their reaction to that harassment, that this is also harassment.
When sexual harassment is a crime:
Some forms of sexual harassment automatically break criminal law, and are therefore crimes.
These include:
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stalking
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indecent exposure
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‘upskirting’
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any sexual harassment involving physical contact (this amounts to sexual assault)
Other forms of sexual harassment might also break criminal law, depending on the situation. For example, if someone carries out sexual harassment behaviours on more than one occasion that are intended to cause another person alarm or distress, they may be committing the crime of harassment.
In cases of sexual harassment where a crime was committed, the following can happen:
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Police can arrest the person who committed the crime.
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This person can be charged with a crime and face trial.
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If they are found guilty or plead guilty then they will receive a punishment. This might include a prison sentence.
ABOUT INDECENT EXPOSURE AND FLASHING:
What is indecent exposure or flashing?
Indecent exposure is when someone shows their genitals to another person for sexual pleasure and/or to scare or upset them. It is sometimes known as 'flashing'.
The key points:
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Indecent exposure is a really common experience amongst women and girls – More than 1 in 8 women have experienced indecent exposure since the age of 16.
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People sometimes dismiss indecent exposure as something 'funny'. But it's in fact a form of sexual violence and a serious crime that can lead to imprisonment.
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Not only is indecent exposure a serious crime, but it strengthens the idea in our society that women and girls are little more than objects that exist for men's sexual pleasure. (This is part of what we call 'rape culture'.)
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Indecent exposure is often very upsetting or scary for the person who experiences it. It can make them feel unsafe and have a long-term impact on their wellbeing.
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It can happen anywhere and at any time of the day or night. When it happens online, it's known as 'cyber flashing'.
No-one ever deserves or asks for indecent exposure to happen.
100% of the blame, shame and responsibility lies with the perpetrator (person who carried it out).
What is the legal definition of indecent exposure?
Indecent exposure is known simply as 'exposure'. The legal definition of exposure is when someone deliberately shows their genitals in order to cause another person alarm or distress.
If someone commits the offence of exposure - all of the following happens:
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They intentionally expose their genitals, and
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They intend that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.
This includes if:
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No one actually saw their exposed genitals.
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Another person saw their exposed genitals, but wasn't alarmed or distressed.
Someone who commits exposure can be sentenced for up to two years in prison.
Although the legal name for this crime offence is 'exposure', the term 'indecent exposure' is widely used – including by police and lawyers.
Does indecent exposure lead to other crimes?
People who carry out indecent exposure can go on to commit other sexual offences. This includes sexual offences that involve physical contact, such as sexual assault and rape.
❗ However, someone who has experienced indecent exposure should never feel pressured to report it to the police. Reporting is 100% their decision and they should only do what feels right for them.
Why is indecent exposure sometimes called flashing?
Some people who carry out indecent exposure show their genitals very quickly before covering them up or running away – which is where the term ‘flashing’ comes from.
They do this to confuse or shock people, or to avoid getting caught.
However, other people who carry out indecent exposure show their genitals for longer and/or masturbate at the same time.
No matter how long it lasts, indecent exposure is always a crime.
Can indecent exposure happen online?
Yes. This is what's commonly known as 'cyber flashing'.
Whether indecent exposure happens in person or online, it is always a crime.
What is stealthing?
So-called 'stealthing' is a form of rape. It happens when people agree to have sex with a condom and then someone either lies about putting a condom on or removes it without the other person's permission.
The key points:
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The definition or meaning of the word 'stealthing' is when someone removes a condom during sex without the other person's consent or lies about having put one on in the first place.
-
Stealthing is rape. This means that someone who carries it out can be prosecuted for rape.
-
Like all rape, stealthing is a very serious crime that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
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'Stealthing' is a slang word, not a legal term. The legal term for this act is 'rape'.
Stealthing is considered rape and therefore illegal.
'Stealthing' is not a legal term and there is no criminal offence called 'stealthing'.
The act of stealthing is considered rape. This means that anyone who carries out stealthing can be prosecuted for the criminal offence of rape.
Conditional consent:
Someone did not consent to sex if the other person tricked them about the 'nature' of the sex – in other words, what exactly it was going to involve. This is what's known as 'conditional consent'.
Although it does not specifically mention lying about putting on a condom or non-consensual condom removal.
Why the word 'stealthing' can be harmful
Using words like 'stealthing' instead of the word 'rape' can make it seem like some forms of rape are worse than others. Or that they don't really 'count' as rape.
However, all rape is a serious crime that can have a long-lasting and serious impact on someone's life.
Rape is never, ever okay – no matter what 'kind' of rape it is.
ABOUT FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION:
What is FGM?
The term 'female genital mutilation' – also known as 'FGM' – refers to procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
Female genital mutilation, or FGM, is internationally recognised as a human rights violation and is illegal. It is sometimes inaccurately referred to as 'female circumcision'.
FGM procedures are usually carried out on girls aged between infancy and 15 years old and cause a range of long-term physical and psychological health problems. They have no health benefits.
However, the true extent of FGM is unknown.
This is because of the largely 'hidden' nature of the crime.
ABOUT SPIKING:
What is spiking?
So-called ‘spiking’ is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their knowledge or consent – in many cases, to make it easier to rape or sexually assault them. Some people use so-called 'date rape drugs' to do this.
❗ Someone who has been spiked cannot consent to sexual activity – no matter the circumstances.
The key points:
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Spiking can happen for different reasons – for example, because someone thinks it's funny or because someone wants to commit a crime against the person they're spiking, such as theft, rape or sexual assault.
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Whatever the motive, spiking is never okay or funny. It can make a person extremely vulnerable and ill and have a lasting impact on their wellbeing and life.
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Spiking someone in order to commit a sexual offence is a serious crime that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison – even if a sexual offence doesn't actually take place. If a sexual offence does take place, the person who carried it out will face an additional sentence.
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Spiking someone in order to rape or sexually assault them is sometimes called 'alcohol or drug-facilitated sexual assault'.
No one ever deserves to be spiked
It doesn't matter if someone who gets spiked was already drinking or had already taken drugs – they are in no way to blame for what happened to them.
100% of the blame, shame and responsibility lies with the perpetrator (person who carried it out).
What are date rape drugs?
So-called 'date rape drugs' are drugs that have become known for their use by people who carry out spiking in order to rape or sexually assault someone. They include Rohypnol, GHB and GBL.
There are several reasons why these particular drugs are used by people who want to commit rape or sexual assault.
They:
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Make people feel physically weak, 'out-of-control' or confused, or even pass out completely.
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Can be odourless, colourless and tasteless – so it can be hard to know if your drink has been spiked with them.
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Leave the body within a short amount of time, making them hard to detect.
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Can cause memory loss – so the victim or survivor might not remember exactly what happened to them or who the perpetrator was.
However, any drug can be used to spike someone.
What does the term 'date rape' mean?
The term 'date rape' refers here to the fact that people are sometimes spiked with these drugs by someone they're on a date with. However, people can be spiked with these drugs by anyone – including someone they know for a different reason, someone they've just met on a night out or even someone they've never spoken to before.
Is 'date rape' a legal term?
No. Under the law, rape is always just rape and sexual assault is always just sexual assault – no matter if the victim or survivor knew their perpetrator or if they were spiked with alcohol or drugs.
It's important to remember that all forms of rape and sexual assault are serious crimes.
We hear a lot about so-called 'date rape drugs' – but alcohol is also commonly used by perpetrators of rape and sexual assault who spike their victims.
What does being roofied mean?
'Being roofied' is a slang term that describes someone being raped or sexually assaulted after being spiked with drugs.
The word 'roofied' comes from 'roofies', the slang name for the drug Rohypnol. However, Rohypnol is not the only drug used by perpetrators to spike victims and survivors.
The term 'being roofied' is often used to refer to any instance of rape or sexual assault where the victim or survivor was spiked with drugs.
How are people spiked?
A common way that people are spiked is by someone adding alcohol to their non-alcoholic drink or extra alcohol to their alcoholic one, without their knowledge or consent.
However, illegal or prescription drugs can also be used to spike people – and this can be done in a few different ways.
Someone could:
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Put drugs in another person's drink or food without their knowledge or consent.
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Give another person drugs but lie to them about the dosage or what the drugs are.
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Inject drugs into another person with a syringe without their knowledge or consent.
What drugs can someone be spiked with?
Someone can be spiked with any type of drug, including:
➡️ Drugs that are commonly taken on nights out or at parties – for example, Ecstasy (also known as ‘MD’, ‘MDMA’, ‘Pills’, ‘Mandy’ or ‘Molly’), Ketamine, GBL or LSD. These are sometimes known as ‘party drugs’ or ‘club drugs’.
➡️ Drugs that have become known for their use by people who commit spiking in order to rape or sexually assault someone – for example, Rohypnol, GHB or GBL. These are commonly known as ‘date rape drugs’. However, people often also take these drugs out of choice, including on nights out or at parties.
➡️ Prescription medicines that slow down the body and brain's functions – for example, diazepam (also known as Valium).
Drink spiking statistics
These figures are taken from a 2022 YouGov survey of the British public.
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1 in 10women have had their drink spiked
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40% of people do not think the police would believe them if they reported drink spiking
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1 in 20 men have had their drink spiked
What happens when someone is spiked?
This depends on several factors:
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What the victim or survivor was spiked with.
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How much they were spiked with.
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If they had already consumed alcohol or taken drugs, and how much they consumed.
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Their size and weight.
Symptoms might start to come into effect within 15 minutes, depending on what a person has been spiked with. These symptoms can then last for several hours.
What are the symptoms and how can you tell if someone has been spiked?
So-called ‘date rape drugs’ are particularly known for making people feel physically weak, ‘out-of-control’ or confused, or pass out. However, all alcohol and drugs can have this effect, depending on the factors listed above.
Other symptoms of spiking include:
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Feeling or being sick.
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Feeling ‘strange’ or drunker than expected.
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Feeling sleepy.
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Blurred or slowed vision, or trouble seeing properly.
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Loss of balance or coordination.
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Having trouble communicating.
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Having hallucinations.
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Acting strangely or out of character.
How can you help someone if you think they’ve been spiked?
The most important thing is to try to make sure that someone trusted stays with them until they have got home safely and – if possible – until the symptoms have worn off.
❗ If their symptoms seem serious and you think they need urgent medical attention, call SAPS to speak to emergency services.
Other things you can do to help include:
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Try not to let them drink alcohol or take drugs.
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Try not to let them go home with someone you don’t know or trust.
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If you don’t know them or don’t know them well, try finding their friends or the people they were with.
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If you’re at a pub, bar, club or any other venue, tell staff who work there.
What is consent?
The Sexual Offences Act defines consent as agreeing to something by choice and having both the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
Under this definition, someone does not consent to being given alcohol or drugs, or to taking them, if:
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They don’t know it’s being put into their drink or their body by some other means.
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They are pressured, manipulated, tricked or scared into it.
It is not consent if someone:
❌ Consented to taking one type of drug or alcohol but was instead given another.
❌ Consented to a certain quantity of a drug/s or alcohol but was instead given more.
Under this definition, someone cannot consent to sexual activity of any kind if they have been spiked.
That's because spiking someone with alcohol or drugs takes away their freedom and capacity to make a choice about agreeing to sexual activity.