Sexual violence
Last updated: 17 November 2025
Next review: 23 September 2026
How to recognise sexual violence
Sexual violence is any sexual contact or activity that is unwanted or against someone’s will. It is any sexual touching or sexual act that happens without consent. Someone can be unable to give consent to a sexual act or activity because of threats, violence, coercion, manipulation, or intimidation. If someone is unable to consent because they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or are unable to communicate their wishes, then consent has not been given and a crime has been committed.
Sexual violence includes:
- Rape
- Unwanted sexual touching
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Sexual exploitation
- Flashing
- Revenge porn
- Sexual assault
- Child sexual abuse
- Sexual harassment
- Sexting
- Upskirting
If you have experienced any form of sexual violence, it was never your fault, no matter what you were wearing, who you were with, your relationship to the perpetrator, where you went, how much you had been drinking, or what drugs you had taken. The perpetrator is always and only to blame for making that choice.
A person consents to sexual activity if they agree by choice and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice (Section 74 Sexual Offences Act 2003). This means that they have not been coerced or forced and have the mental and physical ability to say yes. Some important things to remember about consent are:
- a child under the age of 13 cannot by law consent to sexual activity
- sex with any girl/boy under 16 is unlawful, whether or not consent has been given
- consent can be withdrawn at any time, no matter what you are doing or who it is with
- if someone is too drunk or too high to give consent to a sexual act, it is an offence
- if someone does not get consent it is an offence
There are many myths about sexual violence, including:
| MYTH | FACT |
| Most sexual violence is perpetrated by a stranger | The majority of people who have experienced sexual violence knew the perpetrator – they can be partners, parents, colleagues, trusted adults, friends, relatives |
| If a woman was wearing sexy or revealing clothing, or was drunk or high, she was ‘asking for it’ or is at least partly to blame for being sexually assaulted | Any type of sexual violence (including sexual harassment, rape, child sexual abuse, and sexual assault) is NEVER the fault of the victim/survivor. Studies have shown that people have been sexual assaulted while wearing very modest clothing, completely sober, or young children in pyjamas. Blame for sexual violence ALWAYS AND ONLY sits with the perpetrator |
| People who perpetrate sexual violence are ill, ‘monsters’, or sexually frustrated | Anyone can be a perpetrator of sexual violence, and most perpetrators are not mentally unwell or sexually frustrated – they are ordinary people who make a choice to commit sexual assault or sexual abuse |
| If physical force wasn’t used, it can’t be rape or sexual assault | People can be forced to take part in sexual acts by being threatened, manipulated or coerced by the perpetrator. There does need to be force, and someone does not need to be physically injured for it to be rape or sexual assault |
| People from some cultures, religions or communities are more likely to perpetrate sexual violence than others | No culture, religion or community is more abusive than violent than another. Perpetrators make an individual choice, and anyone can be a perpetrator of sexual violence, regardless of their immigration status, race, religion, or cultural identity |
Help and support if you’ve experienced sexual violence
If you or someone you know has experienced any form of sexual violence at any point in your life, there are organisations that can provide specialist emotional support, advocacy and information
East London Rape Crisis
- phone: 0800 160 1036
- email: rapecrisis@niaendingviolence.org.uk
- open:
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10am to 12pm
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 2.30pm to 4.30pm
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 6pm - 8pm
website: East London Rape Crisis
London Survivors Gateway
- phone: 0808 801 0860
- open:
- Monday 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 7pm
- Wednesday 9.30am to 3.30pm
- Friday 9am to 3pm
- website: London Survivors Gateway
Women and Girls Network Sexual Violence Helpline
- phone: 0808 801 0770
- open:
- Monday to Friday 10am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 4pm
- Wednesday 6pm to 9pm
- website: Women and Girls Network Sexual Violence Helpline
Stay Safe East (for disabled survivors)
- phone: 0208 519 7241 SMS text and voice 07587 134 122
- website: Stay Safe East
Survivors UK (for male and non-binary survivors)
- phone: 020 3322 1860 (send a text to contact the helpline)
- email: help@survivorsuk.org
- open:
- Monday to Sunday 12pm to 8pm (helpline)
- website: Survivors UK
We Stand (support for non-abusive parents of sexually abused children)
- phone: 0800 980 1958
- email: helpline@westand.org.uk
- open:
- Monday 10am to 4pm
- Tuesday 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm
- Wednesday 10am to 2pm
- Thursday 10am to 2pm
website: We Stand
Rape Crisis England & Wales
- phone: 0808 500 2222 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
- website: Rape Crisis England & Wales
Respond Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy Service (for survivors with a learning disability/autism)
- phone: 020 7380 8257 or 07821 578 190
- website: Respond Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy Service
The Havens (forensic examinations and support to victims of sexual violence)
phone: 0203 299 6900
website: The Havens
Rights of Women (Legal Advice Helplines)
Family Law Helpline: 020 7251 6577
- open:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7pm to 9pm
- Friday 12pm to 2pm
Criminal Law Helpline: 020 7251 8887
- open:
- Tuesday 10am to 12pm
- Thursday 7pm to 9pm
Immigration and Asylum Law Helpline: 020 7490 7689
- open:
- Monday 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Sexual Harassment at Work Helpline: 020 7490 0152
- open:
- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 6 to 8pm
- Thursday and Friday 10am to 12pm
If you are in immediate danger call 999 or 112 (from a mobile) for the Police