Sexual assault is a crime, and it is never acceptable. Sexual assault occurs whenever one person does not consent to a certain sexual activity at that specific time. Every single person has the right to change their mind after giving consent. Do not try to coerce others into giving consent. No always means no, and it is always okay to say “no.”

 

Victims of sexual assault can heal from these traumatic experiences, but it can be very difficult. If you have ever been the victim of sexual assault, please reach out to a trusted adult immediately. Seek help and resources to begin healing.

 

You are not alone. You are not to blame. You are strong, and you can overcome this.

 

 

Admitting that you are in an abusive relationship, or have been the victim of sexual assault, can be challenging. You may not want to talk about it and instead deny that the relationship is unhealthy, or that you have been a victim of assault. You also may feel scared that your partner will get into trouble. Unfortunately, ignoring the problem will only make it worse. If you feel that you are in danger, you should tell a parent, teacher, counselor, or other trusted adult to get help immediately. They will do so without making you feel bad about asking for help. Your safety is the highest priority.

 

 

If you or anyone you know has experience with these or other difficult situations, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Talking to a parent, teacher, counselor, family member, or other trusted adult can help you to resolve the situation before things become too difficult to control.

 

 

Before you go to the next page, make sure that you’re ready for your assessment.