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WHAT IS SEXUAL VIOLENCE?

Sexual violence means any form of unwanted sexual touch or activity, and can include rape, child sexual abuse or exploitation, sexual assault, female genital cutting, trafficking; abuse linked to faith or belief; and image-based abuse (commonly known as ‘revenge pornography’). 

While sexual violence can be committed by a stranger, it is often perpetrated by someone you know and trust such as a current or former partner or spouse, acquaintance, friend, family member or colleague. Sexual violence can affect anyone and is never your fault. No one can invite, ask for or be responsible for being raped, abused or exploited in any way; it is the sole responsibility of the perpetrator.

You always have the right to say ‘no’ to any form of sexual activity, or to withdraw your consent if you change your mind at any time. It makes no difference, legally or morally, if you have consented to sexual activity with someone in the past or if you are in a relationship with that person. 

You have the right to say no to unwanted sex, and sex without consent is sexual violence.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION: 

Child sexual abuse includes any sexual act with a child. It can be perpetrated by an adult, young person or older child, and can include penetration, sexual touching above or below the clothes, or making or encouraging a child to watch or participate in sexual acts. Some perpetrators sexually exploit children in order to gain money, drugs or power.

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Perpetrators will often groom a child whom they have chosen to abuse or exploit using methods such as bribery, threats, giving the child drugs or alcohol or making the child believe that they are in a loving relationship, in order to manipulate the child into complying. Some people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse or exploitation can feel that they share blame for their abuse because of being groomed in this way. However, compliance is not consent.  UK law recognises that children do not have the ability to give consent to sexual activity, and that the only person responsible for sexual abuse is the perpetrator.

IMAGE BASED ABUSE: 

More commonly known as ‘revenge pornography’ by the media, image-based abuse includes any photographs or videos that are shared online without the consent of the person in the photograph or video.

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Even if you willingly took and shared the content with one person, if that content is then shared again without your consent it is Image Based Abuse and is a criminal offence under Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

Unfortunately, the current public opinion is that it is the fault of the person sending the image. This is not true, as with all sexual offences the blame and fault is with the perpetrator – in this case the person sharing the content without permission. If you would like help or advice surrounding image-based abuse, please contact the Revenge Porn Helpline on: 0345 6000 459. 

PRIVACY & SAFETY
CHARITY NO. 1187478
COMPANY NO. CE020386

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