‘Sexual violence’ is a term we use to describe any sexual activity that happened without consent (Rape Crisis England and Wales).
Anyone can experience sexual violence. It’s a term we use to describes when someone:
- Makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe during sexual activity.
- Tries to force you into any sexual act you don't want.
- Uses pressure, threats, or lies to get you to do something sexual.
This includes things like:
- Saying or doing things that make you feel scared or embarrassed.
- Touching you in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
- Forcing you to have sex, even if you're married or dating the person.
- Sharing private photos or videos of you without your consent.
Please know it's never your fault and you deserve to feel safe.
No means no, but it also means no if:
- Someone is unable to say yes, like when they're asleep, passed out, or have been using drugs or alcohol.
- Someone is pressured, tricked, or threatened into saying yes. It's not okay if someone feels like they have to say yes because they're scared or worried.
There are many different types of sexual violence, it includes experiences such as:
- child sexual abuse
- rape
- sexual assault
- sexual harassment
- female genital mutilation (FGM)
- sexual exploitation
- sex trafficking
- indecent exposure or 'flashing'
You can report your experiences to us anonymously, or if you would like support from university about your experiences you can report your experiences and give us your contact details.
You can access support from university about experiences you have had at university, or experiences that have happened away from university.