Get informed : Violence
questions about violence
Sexual assault
You've been sexually assaulted
The code of silence. If you’ve been sexually assaulted, the person who assaulted you may threaten you or feed your fear, to try to prevent you from breaking the code of silence. They may also try to make you feel guilty for what they did. There are ways to protect yourself. Regardless of what you’ve said or done or what you haven’t said or done (said no, rejected them), you’re not responsible for the assault. The person who assaulted you is probably afraid of the consequences of their acts.
A big challenge! Talking about an assault is not easy. Maybe you’re afraid of how the person you’ve chosen to talk to will react or of how other people involved will react. But remember that talking about an assault is not a betrayal — it’s a way to get support and make sure you’re safe. It’s true, though, that talking about sexual experiences, even unwanted ones, means sharing an intimate side of yourself. You may find it embarrassing or be uncomfortable having to answer questions that you find too intrusive.
A secret that’s too heavy to bear. Despite the difficulty of talking about a sexual assault, doing so is a way to break your isolation, get help to get on with your life, help you feel better, retake control of your life, and protect yourself against continued assaults, either real or feared.
At your own pace. Deciding to talk about it doesn’t mean that you have to talk about every single detail, or that everyone in the world has to know about it. You can choose to talk to someone you trust (parent, teacher, school or CLSC counsellor), or phone us.
Filing a complaint. If you feel up to it, you can report the assault to the police. You can make this choice to protect yourself or others from a future assault, or because it’s a way to retake control over your life. It’s never too late to report an assault to the police; you can even do it several years after the fact.
The medical consultation. If you’ve experienced a sexual assault, it’s a good idea to see a doctor soon (if possible, avoid taking a shower or bath). The doctor can collect evidence of the assault that may prove useful if you decide to file a complaint at a later date. The consultation will also allow you to prevent a pregnancy and detect any STIs.
A big challenge! Talking about an assault is not easy. Maybe you’re afraid of how the person you’ve chosen to talk to will react or of how other people involved will react. But remember that talking about an assault is not a betrayal — it’s a way to get support and make sure you’re safe. It’s true, though, that talking about sexual experiences, even unwanted ones, means sharing an intimate side of yourself. You may find it embarrassing or be uncomfortable having to answer questions that you find too intrusive.
A secret that’s too heavy to bear. Despite the difficulty of talking about a sexual assault, doing so is a way to break your isolation, get help to get on with your life, help you feel better, retake control of your life, and protect yourself against continued assaults, either real or feared.
At your own pace. Deciding to talk about it doesn’t mean that you have to talk about every single detail, or that everyone in the world has to know about it. You can choose to talk to someone you trust (parent, teacher, school or CLSC counsellor), or phone us.
Filing a complaint. If you feel up to it, you can report the assault to the police. You can make this choice to protect yourself or others from a future assault, or because it’s a way to retake control over your life. It’s never too late to report an assault to the police; you can even do it several years after the fact.
The medical consultation. If you’ve experienced a sexual assault, it’s a good idea to see a doctor soon (if possible, avoid taking a shower or bath). The doctor can collect evidence of the assault that may prove useful if you decide to file a complaint at a later date. The consultation will also allow you to prevent a pregnancy and detect any STIs.