Why should I tell?
If you’ve been sexually assaulted or abused, it’s really important to tell someone. This is so you can get help and support. You can tell a close friend, a trusted adult, or a trained professional.
It can feel really scary to think about telling, because it’s hard to know what might happen next. It takes a lot of energy to keep such a heavy secret so telling someone will probably be a big relief.
Things will change after you tell. Some changes will be good, some might be really hard. You can get support to help with the hard stuff.
If you don’t tell, you can’t keep safe. When people live feeling scared all the time, it affects their mental health. This can mean that it’s harder to concentrate on school and other normal growing up stuff.
Telling is a first step in taking care of yourself and your future.
Sexual assault
Generally speaking, sexual assault is any type of unwanted sexual behaviour that makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated or afraid.
What is child abuse?
Child abuse is when children or young people are harmed, not protected or not taken care of. Child abuse can happen in many ways, for example: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual abuse, Neglect.
Useful phone numbers
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL): 1800 806 292
Links
For more informationFor more information about this or to contact the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault go to the SECASA website. |
