Help following sexual abuse

Rape and sexual abuse is common in abusive relationships.

Sexual abuse is unwanted sexual behaviour from one person to another. It can also refer to behaviour such as restricting access to birth control and condoms.

It is important to know that just because you "didn't say no", it doesn't mean that you meant "yes."
When you do not resist an unwanted sexual advance, it does not mean that you wanted to do it
Some think that if you didn't resist, that it doesn't count as abuse. That's not true. It still is. Whether you were drunk or using drugs, you were scared or thought you had to, it's not your fault.

Some examples of sexual assault and abuse are:

Unwanted kissing or touching
Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity
Rape (deliberate penetration of vagina, anus or mouth with a penis, without consent) or attempted rape
Refusing to use condoms or restricting someone's access to birth control
Keeping someone from protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Sexual contact with someone who is very drunk, drugged, unconscious or otherwise unable to give a clear and informed "yes" or "no"
Threatening someone into unwanted sexual activity
Pressuring or forcing someone to have sex or perform sexual acts
Using sexual insults toward someone
Sexual activity with someone who is not old enough to/does not have the capacity to consent

The Harbour Centre

Website: The Harbour Centre (opens new window)

01603 276381 (24 hours)

The Harbour Centre is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Norfolk and provides a one-stop location, offering medical care and emotional support to victims of rape and serious sexual assault whether they are male, female, adults or children. You can use their services without reporting the matter to the police or they can support you to do this whenever you feel it is right for you to do so.

In addition to offering the SARC service, the Harbour Centre also provides a 24 hour helpline (01603 276381) operated by specially trained Crisis Workers and follow on support from Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs).

The service is confidential and no information will be shared without your consent unless there are safeguarding concerns about a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

Sue Lambert Trust

Website: Sue Lambert Trust (opens new window)
01603 622406
Support for male and female survivors of sexual abuse in Norfolk whenever it occurred - counselling and telephone support. Centres in Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

Fresh Start New Beginnings

Website: Fresh Start New Beginnings (opens new window)
01603 558205
Fresh Start new beginnings works through Suffolk and Norfolk, and was set up to provide a therapeutic service for children and young people up to 18 years who have reported being sexually abused and to offer support for their families.

Daisy Programme - Rowan Project

Website: Daisy Programme - Rowan Project (opens new window)
01953 878488
Specialist counselling support for people aged 16 years and over who have been victims of sexual abuse or child sexual abuse, living in Breckland.

Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care

Website: Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care (opens new window)
Telephone: 0300 303 3706 (Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care, 8am-5pm Monday-Friday)
National Helpline: 0808 1689 111 (24 hours)
Telephone and face to face support for male and female victims

Rape Crisis

Website: Rape Crisis (opens new window)
0808 802 9999
National organisation supporting for women

NSPCC

Website: NSPCC (opens new window)
0808 800 5000
Useful advice for how to talk to children about their bodies and their rights including the PANTS rule.

Revenge Porn Helpline

Website: Revenge Porn Helpline (opens new window)
03456 000 459
A national organisation who offer practical assistance in reporting and removing content online. Whisper Anonymous Reporting is available via their website.