What is sexual abuse? What is ? Sexual Abuse is when one person Sexual harassment is not flirting. does sexual things to another The difference is that sexual without their consent or agreement. harassment feels bad, flirting feels This can include: good. Sexual harassment is one  Being forced to have . sided, flirting is reciprocal. Sexual  Being made to touch another harassment is unwanted, flirting is person’s private parts. wanted.  Being bullied or coerced into Things people worry about… having sex or doing sexual  Many young people who have things. experienced abuse struggle  Having objects put into your with their feelings alone , anus or mouth. because they feel they can’t  Being made to watch tell their parents or anyone in pornographic films or look at their family or school. You may pornographic pictures. be worried about how they will  Being touched on your private react, that they will blame you parts or . for not doing as you were  Having photographs taken of advised. you or being filmed (even on a  You may know your abuser. He mobile) doing sexual things. could be a member of your family, father, grandfather, How can sexual abuse affect me? brother etc. Sexual Abuse can affect every part  You might be confused about of your life, changing the way you what you experienced. feel about yourself and towards  You may think that it couldn’t others for a long time afterwards. have been or Sexual You may react in ways you can’t help, Assault/Abuse because you start to behave differently or lie to didn’t actually say “no” but you yourself about what happened to try didn’t really want to do it to cope with the hurt. These ways of either. coping can cause even more problems.  If you have been experiencing abuse for a long time from What is Rape? someone you know, you might Rape is where a man penetrates a feel that you can’t say “no” now woman's vagina with his penis without because you always agreed her consent. before.

 Or your abuser may have What is Sexual Bullying? threatened you, a member of Sexual Bullying is any bullying your family or threatened to behaviour, whether physical or non tell people what’s been physical that is based on a person’s happening between you and sexuality or gender. It is when that it was all your fault. sexuality is used as a weapon by boys  YOU ARE NOT ALONE or by girls. It can be carried out to

a persons face, behind their back or Where can I get help? by using technology (like a mobile Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis offers phone, e-mail or msn) for example, free and confidential face to face,  calling someone a slag or a slut telephone and e-mail support to  using someone’s sexuality as a males and females aged 13 yrs and put down for example, calling over who have been raped, sexually them gay to mean they are not assaulted and/or sexually abused, no very good. matter how long ago it happened.  Sexual innuendos and propositions. . Who does this service help? Where can I get more information Males and females aged 13 yrs and about being sexually abused, over who have been raped, sexually raped, sexually bullied or assaulted and/or sexually abused, no harassed? matter how long ago it happened. They also offer support to male and The TESSA website is designed for female members of your family and 13—18 yr olds. It gives advice on friends. what to do if you have been sexually bullied, harassed, abused or raped. It When is the Argyll and Bute Rape has quizzes and lots of useful Crisis service open? information on where to get help if The Help line is open at various times you need it. 7 days a week. Go to: www.tessaproject.co.uk  Monday 12noon-2pm and 7pm- or you can call: 9pm  Tuesday 10am-12noon The helpline on 0800 121 4685. This  Wednesday 7pm-9pm phone call is free.  Thursday 2pm-4pm and 7pm- 9pm Local Contacts  Friday 7pm-9pm To contact Argyll and Bute Rape  Saturday 7pm-9pm Crisis:  Sunday 7pm-9pm Telephone 01369 700800 Email: support@rapecrisiscentre- The helpline is only open at certain argyll-bute.org.uk times. The number is 0800 121 4685 and calls are free. Address: What if I need support and the Argyll & Bute Rape Crisis Helpline is closed? PO BOX 9338 A recorded message will tell you the DUNOON opening times if it is closed when you ARGYLL phone, or you can leave a message PA23 8WS and a female support worker will get back to you. National Contacts Childline (24hours): 0800 1111 They also offer support to male and Freephone (including mobiles). female members of your family and friends. The Samaritans (24hours): 0845 790 9090 (Local rate charge).