Sexual Abuse

Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Sexual abuse any sexual activity that occurs without consent. Also referred to as sexual assault or sexual violence, it includes unwanted sexual touching, forced oral sex, and rape, among other sexual acts. No matter which act occurs, it’s not the survivor’s fault that they were assaulted—and help is available to begin healing from such abuse.

Understanding sexual Abuse Sexual violence is a pervasive problem. The abuse can lead to shock, fear, sadness, and in some cases, an anxiety or depressive disorder. But therapy, coping skills, and social support can relieve the burden and help survivors heal. Personal, societal, and legal hurdles often prevent survivors from disclosing the abuse and receiving the help they deserve.

Although the #MeToo movement and the national discussion that ensued helped to address sexual harassment and assault, there’s still a long way to go to create cultural change and stop sexual violence. How common is sexual abuse? Sexual violence is a pervasive problem. In America, one in three women in four men experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, according to the National Institutes of Health. And those numbers are likely an underestimate due to the shame and fear that prevent many survivors from reporting abuse. What are the psychological consequences of sexual abuse? Sexual abuse can be. In the two weeks following an assault, 94 percent of women in one study reported experiencing such as flashbacks, insomnia, hypervigilance, and avoidance. They also struggled with anger, anxiety, and depression.

Yet up to 90 percent of survivors may recover naturally with time, research suggests. Mental health professionals are always available to help process this painful experience.