About sexual violence
Sexual violence is common. Anyone can experience it. It is difficult to know how many because many people never tell anyone and many do not report it to the police.
Although sexual violence often goes unreported, in Orkney, in 2014/15, the police recorded 44 sexual crimes. Sexual crimes include rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, crimes associated with prostitution and other forms of sexual coercion.
No right or wrong way to feel
Everyone is affected differently by sexual violence. This is no right or wrong way to feel. How you feel, and what you want to do, depend on your own experience.
Whatever you may feel now or whatever happened, you are not to blame. If someone has harmed you, it is not your fault. Whoever harmed you is responsible. Sexual violence does not ‘just happen’. A person commits sexual violence because, at some level, they decide to do so. They had a choice about what they did.
This person (or people) may be complete stranger. But they are more likely to be someone known such as a family member, partner, work colleague, or some other acquaintance.
Although there are different forms of sexual violence, the effects are similar because the experience is frightening, shocking, and can be confusing and difficult to cope with. This is partly because of the abuse itself. But it is also because there may be other factors which make a distressing or frightening experience much worse.
You do not have to cope with this on your own. Orkney Rape & Sexual Assault Service provides non-judgemental and confidential support and information. We will listen to what you say, believe you and treat you with respect.
It is possible to heal from sexual violence. Orkney Rape & Sexual Assault Service can help with this.
