From today until the 11th February, we’re going to be marking Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week. This is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of sexual abuse and violence and to provide an opportunity for any organisation or individual to engage in dialogue.
Through the week, we’ll be sharing real RISE survivor quotes with information on how we can all help, but we want to start today by being clear about one thing.
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence can happen to anyone. Any age, any background, ethnicity, heritage, or culture, any faith or none. Any sexuality or gender identity or none. Children, older people, LGBT+ people and disabled people. Rich people, poorer people, people with any level of education. People with or without disabilities. Famous people, the people next door. It is true that men and boys can experience sexual abuse and violence, but research consistently shows that most victims and survivors of sexual violence are women and girls, and most perpetrators are male.
Over a five-year period (2018 to 2023) RISE recorded sexual violence experienced by 22% of those using our services currently and 33% who had experienced historic sexual violence and abuse.
1. 1 in 3 women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner Source UN Women
2. 41% of UK girls aged 14 to 17 in an intimate relationship experienced some form of sexual violence from their partner Source - Refuge
3. 1 in 2 rapes against women are carried out by their partner or ex-partner Source Rape Crisis England and Wales
4. 91% of people prosecuted for sexual offences are men aged 18+ Source Rape Crisis England and Wales
5. 6 in 7 rapes against women are carried out by someone they know Source Rape Crisis England and Wales
What you can do for yourself or a friend
In an emergency call 999. Read about the Silent Solution here – a way of sending a message to the person who answers the 999 call even if you aren’t able to speak.
If you are experiencing sexual abuse or sexual violence near Brighton and Hove, we can help. Our Get Help page outlines the support we can offer in general, and also lists specific help for Mothers and Children, Black and Minoritised Women, LGBTQ+ people, Older Women and Disabled Women.
If you are experiencing sexual abuse or sexual violence in England and outside our area, you can also call the Rape Crisis England and Wales Support line on 0808 500 2222 or visit their Support Line website to start an online chat.
If you are experiencing sexual abuse or sexual violence perpetrated by a partner or family member in England you can get confidential, non-judgmental support and information on your options from the National Domestic Abuse Helpline any time of day or night. Call 0808 2000 247.
If someone you care about is experiencing abuse, or if you’re worried they might be, read our tips here on how you can help.
We support women, girls and LGBT people fleeing abuse in Brighton and Hove every day. We hope that you never need our help but if you do, we hope that the tips we suggest above help you or someone you care about one day.
Our service costs over £25,000 to run each week. If you’re able to help us help those in need today, we would be enormously grateful. Donate here.
