Sexual Assault

How can SASH support you?

There is no right or wrong way to feel after experiencing sexual assault, and SASH is here to provide support for you and your mental health. We can also work with other organisations that can help you with aftercare, as well as navigating any legal proceedings if you decide to press charges.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault (SA) is any non-consensual sexual or indecent act or behaviour forced upon someone. It includes a wide range of unwanted sexual activities, such as rape, groping, and other forms of sexual contact without the victim's consent and sometimes even knowledge. Sexual assault can also involve coercion, manipulation, or the threat of violence to compel someone to engage in sexual activities against their will and without their consent.

Examples of sexual assault include:

• Forced kissing
• Pressing up against someone for sexual pleasure
• Touching someone for sexual pleasure
• Stealthing
• Attempted rape

Consent and sexual assault

Consent is a key factor in distinguishing sexual assault. For a sexual act to be consensual, all parties must agree to it freely and without any form of pressure, force, or manipulation. If someone is unable to consent due to factors like age, disability, intoxication, or unconsciousness, any sexual activity with them may be considered sexual assault.

Is sexual assault illegal?

In the UK, sexual assault is a illegal and depending on the crime, can carry tough punishments and prison sentences.

After sexual assault

No one should ever have to experience sexual assault, it is a serious violation of a person's rights and can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on the victim. Each person who has experienced sexual assault is affected differently, and may process what has happened in their own way. There is no right or wrong way to feel after being sexually assaulted.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, it should be reported it to the police as soon as you can.

Why is sexual assault not always reported?

In some cases, it can take the person who has been sexually assaulted some time to understand and process what has happened to them before telling anyone, which might make it harder to gather evidence to build a case.
Many people also lack confidence in reporting their sexual assault due to low conviction rates and the stress that might come with making a report. This can make it harder for the person to process what’s happened or seek out support.

At SASH, we can provide support and advice but also put you in contact with other services and organisations who can help you with legal proceedings and aftercare.